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
8638 stories- Crypto· World
Coinbase Launches Agentic.Market for AI Agents and Developers
On April 19, 2026, Coinbase launched Agentic.Market, a public marketplace for developers and AI agents to access x402-enabled services. This launch is driven by the growing demand for scalable, intermediary-free payments in the AI sector, facilitated by the x402 protocol. The long-term implication is the potential for a significant shift in how AI agents transact, enhancing the infrastructure for agentic commerce globally.
6 sourcesApr 22Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bipartisan PACE Act Introduced to Enhance Crypto Access to U.S. Payment Infrastructure
The PACE Act was introduced by Representatives Young Kim and Sam Liccardo to streamline access for crypto firms to federal payment services. This legislative move is prompted by the growing need for fintech and crypto payment providers to connect directly to Federal Reserve services, reducing costs and delays in digital transactions. If passed, the PACE Act could significantly modernize the U.S. payment landscape for crypto and fintech companies, fostering innovation and competition in the sector.
3 sourcesApr 22Moderate
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO rsETH Bridge Exploit Leads to $196 Million Bad Debt in Aave V3
On April 18, 2026, a vulnerability in the KelpDAO rsETH bridge was exploited, resulting in approximately $196 million in bad debt across Aave V3 lending markets. This incident triggered a liquidity crisis as attackers minted unbacked tokens and borrowed wrapped ETH, causing significant outflows of total value locked. The long-term implication may involve governance discussions on utilizing reserves to cover deficits, potentially impacting investor confidence in decentralized finance protocols.
14 sourcesApr 22High
- Crypto· World
North Korea's Lazarus Group Executes $290 Million Cryptocurrency Heist
The Lazarus Group has drained approximately $292 million in rsETH from KelpDAO, marking a significant event in the cryptocurrency landscape. This incident is occurring now due to the group's ongoing exploitation of vulnerabilities in decentralized finance systems. In the long term, this may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and measures aimed at enhancing security in the crypto market.
3 sourcesApr 22High
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Price Drops Below $75,500 Amid US-Iran Tensions
Bitcoin fell below $75,500 on April 21, 2026, due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following a U.S. naval seizure of an Iranian cargo ship. This market reaction is occurring as geopolitical risks heighten, impacting investor sentiment and leading to a global risk-off approach. In the long term, continued volatility in the cryptocurrency market may prompt further regulatory scrutiny and influence trading strategies as geopolitical dynamics evolve.
7 sourcesApr 22Low
- Crypto· World
Arbitrum Security Council Freezes 30,766 ETH Following KelpDAO Exploit
On April 20, 2026, the Arbitrum Security Council executed an emergency freeze of 30,766 ETH valued at approximately $71 million in response to a significant exploit on KelpDAO. This action was triggered by law enforcement insights regarding the identity of the exploiter, which necessitated immediate measures to secure the funds and prevent further losses. The long-term implication of this incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory actions within the crypto industry.
7 sourcesApr 22High
- Crypto· World
U.S. Bitcoin ETFs See Nearly $1 Billion in Inflows Amid Geopolitical Stability
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded approximately $996.4 million in net inflows last week. This surge is driven by recent geopolitical stabilization, which has positively influenced market dynamics and investor sentiment. As confidence in cryptocurrency grows, further inflows are likely, potentially leading to a sustained recovery in the digital asset market.
4 sourcesApr 22Low - Crypto· World
Kelp DAO's rsETH Bridge Exploit Results in $292 Million Loss Attributed to Lazarus Group
On April 18, 2026, Kelp DAO's rsETH cross-chain bridge was exploited, draining 116,500 rsETH valued at approximately $292 million. The attack was executed by North Korea's Lazarus Group through a compromise of LayerZero RPC nodes, exploiting a single-verifier configuration. This incident has triggered significant DeFi market disruptions, with a $13 billion decline in total value locked and increased scrutiny on cross-chain bridge security protocols.
10 sourcesApr 22High
- Crypto· World
Kalshi to Launch Crypto Perpetual Futures in U.S. Market
Kalshi has announced plans to launch crypto perpetual futures for the U.S. market. This initiative is driven by the increasing competition in the digital asset derivatives space, particularly with platforms like Polymarket also preparing to enter. The long-term implication is a potential reshaping of the crypto trading landscape, attracting both retail and institutional investors seeking regulated options.
5 sourcesApr 22Moderate
- Crypto· World
Blockchain.com launches perpetual futures trading in DeFi wallet
Blockchain.com has introduced perpetual futures trading in its DeFi wallet, enabling users to trade self-custodied Bitcoin across over 190 markets. This launch is currently available only to non-US investors due to pending regulatory approvals for US users. The move is expected to enhance user adoption and position Blockchain.com as a leader in the evolving decentralized finance landscape as regulatory clarity develops.
3 sourcesApr 22Low
- Crypto· World
Nium partners with Coinbase to integrate USDC for global payments
Nium has announced a partnership with Coinbase to enable USDC-based payments and fiat payouts across more than 190 countries. This integration is driven by the growing demand for efficient cross-border transactions without the need for prefunded accounts. In the long term, this move could reshape the fintech landscape and set a precedent for the adoption of digital currencies in international payments.
3 sourcesApr 22Low
- Crypto· World
Justin Sun Sues World Liberty Financial Over Frozen Tokens and Governance Rights
Justin Sun has filed a federal lawsuit against World Liberty Financial, claiming wrongful freezing of 595 million WLFI tokens and exclusion from governance rights. This legal action follows allegations of fraudulent practices and centralized control within the DeFi project, which is backed by prominent figures in the Trump family. The outcome of this case could set significant precedents for token rights and governance in decentralized finance, impacting investor confidence in similar projects.
6 sourcesApr 22Very High
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Surges Past $77,000 Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Expiration
Bitcoin's price exceeded $77,000 on April 21, 2026, leading to nearly $40 million in short position liquidations. This surge is driven by escalating tensions between the US and Iran as a temporary ceasefire is set to expire on April 22, 2026. The long-term implication suggests that Bitcoin may increasingly be viewed as a hedge against geopolitical instability, attracting further institutional investment.
9 sourcesApr 22Moderate - Economy· MENA
Bank of Korea Governor Prioritizes CBDCs Over Stablecoins in Inaugural Address
The new Governor of the Bank of Korea, Hyun-Song Shin, has emphasized the importance of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and bank-issued deposit tokens while omitting stablecoins from his inaugural address. This shift is occurring as South Korea seeks to modernize its currency markets and enhance scrutiny of crypto markets. The long-term implication may be a regulatory framework that favors centralization in the digital currency space, potentially impacting the future of stablecoins in the region.
4 sourcesApr 22Low
- Crypto· MENA
Bybit invests $8 million in Malaysian crypto platform Hata
Bybit has announced an $8 million investment in Hata, a dual-licensed crypto platform in Malaysia. This funding comes as Malaysia is actively developing its digital asset regulations and tokenization initiatives. The investment is expected to enhance Malaysia's digital asset ecosystem and attract further investments as the regulatory landscape evolves.
4 sourcesApr 22Low
- Crypto· World
35% of European Investors Consider Switching Banks for Cryptocurrency Access
A recent survey indicates that 35% of European investors are willing to switch banks for better access to cryptocurrency services. This shift is driven by increasing investor interest in cryptocurrencies, despite ongoing regulatory uncertainties and a lack of awareness. In the long term, banks may need to innovate their digital asset services to retain customers and remain competitive in the evolving market.
3 sourcesApr 22Moderate
- Crypto· World
Strategy Inc. Overtakes BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust in Bitcoin Holdings
Strategy Inc. has acquired 34,164 Bitcoin for $2.54 billion, surpassing BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust in total holdings. This acquisition comes as Strategy Inc. continues its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy, which has been in place since 2020, amid increasing institutional interest in Bitcoin. The long-term implication is a potential shift in corporate treasury strategies, as more companies may follow Strategy's lead in adopting Bitcoin as a primary reserve asset.
15 sourcesApr 22High
- Business· World
Revolut delays IPO to 2028 to focus on US market expansion
Revolut has announced a delay in its initial public offering (IPO) to 2028 as it aims to strengthen its presence in the US market. This decision is driven by the company's pursuit of a US bank charter, which is crucial for its strategic growth. The long-term implication is that this shift could significantly enhance Revolut's competitive position in the global fintech landscape by the time of its IPO.
4 sourcesApr 22Low
- Business· World
AST SpaceMobile stock drops 14% after Blue Origin satellite launch failure
AST SpaceMobile's stock fell 14% following Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket failure to place the BlueBird satellite into orbit. This incident is occurring now due to the immediate repercussions of the failed launch, which raises investor concerns about the reliability of satellite technology. Long-term, this failure may lead to increased scrutiny on future satellite missions and could impact investor confidence in the commercial space sector.
3 sourcesApr 22High
- Business· World
Eli Lilly acquires Kelonia Therapeutics for up to $7 billion
Eli Lilly has announced its acquisition of Kelonia Therapeutics, a biotech firm specializing in cancer gene therapies, in a deal valued at up to $7 billion. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing Lilly's cancer treatment portfolio and comes at a time when the demand for innovative cancer therapies is increasing. The long-term implication is that this acquisition may position Eli Lilly as a leader in the oncology market, potentially reshaping its product offerings and competitive stance.
5 sourcesApr 22Low