Bio
Saqib is COO and co-founder at A47 AI, where he runs operations and leads the prediction-markets initiative. He covers crypto, Web3, and the decentralization of the sport and entertainment economy.
Editorial Responsibility
As A47's prediction-markets and crypto editor, I am responsible for our coverage of these markets and Web3 — ensuring it is grounded in real product, data, and revenue rather than speculation.
Previous experience · 14+ years
- · WPP Media (GroupM PK, Wavemaker PH)
- · MYCO
- · ARY Digital Network
Education
MBA Marketing, SZABIST
Areas of expertise
Categories overseen
Stories from Saqib Pathan’s desk
8384 stories- Economy· World
Gold Prices Decline Following US PCE Inflation Data Release
On August 26, 2026, gold prices fell approximately 1% after the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a 3.7% year-over-year increase in July PCE inflation, slightly above expectations. This decline was triggered by heightened market expectations for a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike in September, compounded by a strengthening US dollar. The long-term implication suggests continued volatility in gold prices as investors react to upcoming Federal Reserve communications and inflationary pressures.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Economy· World
Dallas Fed Research Warns Tokenized Deposits May Slash U.S. Bank Lending Capacity by $580 Billion
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has published a research paper indicating that the adoption of tokenized deposits could reduce U.S. banks' maturity transformation capacity by approximately $580 billion. This shift is driven by the potential for instant settlement and increased interest rate sensitivity associated with blockchain technology. In the long term, banks may need to adjust their asset management strategies, potentially leading to higher credit costs and changes in funding practices.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· UAE
US Treasury Targets Banque Misr UAE Branches Over Iranian Financial Links
On August 28, 2026, the US Treasury's FinCEN proposed restrictions on Banque Misr's UAE branches due to their alleged involvement in processing $1.8 billion in transactions for companies linked to Iranian shadow banking. This action is part of a broader initiative to isolate Iran from the US dollar and global financial systems amid ongoing sanctions. The long-term implication may involve increased scrutiny of financial institutions in the UAE and potential shifts in regional banking practices to comply with US regulations.
5 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· MENA
Iran Faces Petrol Import Crisis Due to US Naval Blockade
Iran has publicly acknowledged a significant shortfall in petrol imports due to a US naval blockade, as confirmed by Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah. This situation arises amidst an ongoing conflict that began on February 28, 2026, which has led to increased economic pressures and long queues at petrol stations in Tehran. In response to the crisis, Iranian officials are reviewing petrol quotas, indicating potential long-term shifts in domestic fuel policy and consumption patterns.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Business· UAE
Dubai RTA Awards AED 1.161 Billion for Al Meydan Street Development Project
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has awarded two contracts totaling AED 1.161 billion for the Al Meydan Street Development Project. This initiative is a response to the city's rapid urban and economic growth, aiming to enhance traffic flow and connectivity for over 500,000 residents. The project aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and is expected to significantly improve travel times and corridor capacity upon completion by the end of 2028.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· World
US GDP Growth Slows to 1.5% Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Rising Imports
The U.S. economy's annualized GDP growth rate decelerated to 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.1% in the previous quarter. This slowdown is attributed to a surge in imports and the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, which has disrupted energy markets and contributed to inflation. Long-term implications may include heightened economic scrutiny during the upcoming midterm elections and potential shifts in fiscal policy to address inflationary pressures.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
BlackRock's Mitchnick Highlights Bitcoin's Investment Case Amid U.S. Fiscal Concerns
On August 26, 2026, BlackRock Managing Director Robert Mitchnick stated that Bitcoin's investment case is strengthening due to rising U.S. fiscal concerns, including federal debt exceeding $40 trillion. This commentary comes as annual interest payments approach $1 trillion, prompting institutional interest in Bitcoin as a hedge against traditional assets. The long-term implication suggests a shift towards Bitcoin and similar assets as preferred investment vehicles for institutions amid ongoing fiscal challenges.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bitfinex Securities Achieves Record $50 Million Tokenized Nickel Capital Raise for Alkemya
Bitfinex Securities completed a record $50 million tokenized capital raise for Alkemya Metacore on August 27, 2026. This unprecedented transaction is driven by the growing demand for tokenized real-world assets and the commercialization of high-purity nickel products under El Salvador's digital asset regulations. The successful offering positions Bitfinex as a leader in the tokenized commodities market, potentially influencing future investment strategies in industrial metals and digital assets.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
Avici Neobank Loses Over $500K in Smart Contract Exploit
On August 28, 2026, Avici, a Solana-based neobank, suffered a smart contract exploit that drained approximately $500,859 from the card balances of 1,685 users. The incident was triggered by a vulnerability in an outdated version of a contract operated by its card-issuing partner Rain, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access. This exploit raises concerns about the security of smart contracts in decentralized finance, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures in the crypto industry.
4 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Crypto· World
HMRC Reports 240 UK Taxpayers Exceeding £1 Million in Crypto Capital Gains for 2024-2025 Tax Year
On August 27, 2026, HMRC published its first dedicated statistics on cryptoasset capital gains, revealing that 240 individuals reported gains over £1 million each for the 2024-2025 tax year. This surge in reporting is driven by the introduction of a dedicated crypto section in Self Assessment returns and increased compliance efforts, including over 81,000 warning letters issued. The long-term implication suggests heightened scrutiny and preparation for the OECD's Cryptoasset Reporting Framework set to begin in 2027, impacting future compliance and reporting practices in the UK.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Business· UAE
Dubai Real Estate Achieves AED 12 Billion in Weekly Transactions
Dubai's real estate market recorded AED 12 billion in transactions for the week ending August 28, 2026. This surge is driven by sustained investor demand and ongoing economic diversification efforts in the region. The long-term implication suggests continued growth and stability in Dubai's property sector, reinforcing its status as a key economic driver.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· MENA
Oil Prices Decline Amid Renewed Iran-Oman Negotiations on Strait of Hormuz
On August 26, 2026, oil prices fell sharply as Iran and Oman advanced talks on a temporary navigation corridor in the Strait of Hormuz. This development is triggered by renewed diplomatic signals amidst ongoing U.S. sanctions and Israeli opposition to Iranian engagement. The long-term implication may involve a potential easing of tensions in the region, impacting global oil supply and prices significantly.
5 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
Bullish Launches $100 Million Stablecoin Debt Facility for GPU-Backed AI Loans
Bullish has announced a $100 million stablecoin debt facility to USD.AI to support GPU-backed AI infrastructure loans. This move is driven by the increasing demand for private credit in the AI sector, particularly for high-performance GPUs. The long-term implication is the potential for enhanced liquidity and market-making in the tokenized private credit space, further integrating crypto with traditional asset financing.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
SEC proposes new regulatory framework for crypto asset fundraising
On August 18, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed Regulation Crypto Assets, which introduces exemptions from Securities Act registration for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets. This regulatory initiative is a response to the need for compliant fundraising pathways following years of enforcement actions against unregistered token sales. The long-term implication is the potential establishment of a regulated environment for crypto fundraising, which could reshape the landscape of initial coin offerings and investor protections in the industry.
3 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Business· World
Nvidia Reports Record Quarterly Profit of $59.69 Billion Fueled by AI Chip Demand
Nvidia announced a more than doubling of its quarterly profit to $59.69 billion, driven by surging demand for AI chips. This remarkable growth is attributed to major technology companies investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure at this critical juncture. Looking ahead, Nvidia's strong forward guidance suggests continued dominance in the AI sector despite ongoing supply chain challenges.
11 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Economy· UAE
UAE Ministry of Finance Clarifies Pillar Two Tax Filing Obligations for Multinational Enterprises
On August 26, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Decision No. 133 of 2026, detailing the filing obligations for multinational enterprises under the Pillar Two framework. This decision is prompted by the UAE's commitment to align its tax regulations with the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework, establishing a 15% global minimum tax for qualifying multinational enterprises. The long-term implication is enhanced regulatory clarity for multinational operations in the UAE, promoting compliance without introducing new taxes.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Stabilize Amid Expanded U.S. Sanctions on Iran
Oil prices stabilized on August 25, 2026, following a decline of more than 2% in the prior session as investors evaluated new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran amid an ongoing regional conflict. The immediate trigger for this stabilization was the announcement of expanded secondary sanctions by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, aimed at economically isolating Iran without immediate military escalation. Long-term implications suggest that the oil market will remain sensitive to geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Iran's shipping capabilities and compliance with sanctions.
3 sourcesSep 4Low
- Crypto· World
Unstoppable Domains Withdraws from ICANN 2026 TLD Applications and Initiates Customer Refunds
Unstoppable Domains announced it will not pursue applications for Web3 top-level domains in ICANN's 2026 expansion round, opting instead to refund eligible customers. This decision was triggered by prohibitive compliance costs and regulatory requirements that conflict with the principles of blockchain ownership. The long-term implication suggests a potential shift in focus for the company towards infrastructure services and partnerships rather than traditional domain registration.
4 sourcesSep 4Low
- Economy· MENA
Visa and Mastercard Launch International Card Transactions in Syria After US Terrorism Designation Removal
On August 27, 2026, Visa and Mastercard executed the first international card transactions in Syria, marking a significant shift in the country's financial landscape. This development follows the United States' removal of Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on August 25, 2026, which has enabled the reactivation of global payment networks. The long-term implication is that this move may facilitate increased foreign investment and economic rebuilding efforts in Syria after years of isolation due to sanctions.
6 sourcesSep 4Moderate
- Business· UAE
Dubai's RTA Expands Emirates Road to Alleviate Traffic Congestion
The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai announced the addition of two lanes on Emirates Road, set to open on August 30, 2026. This expansion is a response to increasing commuter volumes between Sharjah and Dubai, particularly with the school year reopening soon after. Long-term, this infrastructure upgrade aims to enhance mobility and support economic connectivity in the region.
9 sourcesSep 4Low