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- Business· MENA
Bang Si-hyuk of HYBE Faces Arrest Over Investor Fraud Allegations
South Korean police are seeking to arrest Bang Si-hyuk for alleged fraud involving over $100 million from investors. This request for a court warrant comes amid expanding investigations into the K-pop mogul's financial dealings. The outcome of this case could significantly impact the K-pop industry and the future of HYBE.
5 sourcesApr 22Very High
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Surge Over 6% Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices increased by more than 6% on April 20, 2026, due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The immediate trigger was U.S. military action against an Iranian tanker and Iranian forces firing on commercial vessels, reigniting fears of supply disruptions. This situation is likely to lead to sustained volatility in global oil markets and increased energy costs as the conflict continues.
12 sourcesApr 22Moderate
- Economy· World
Trump Administration Begins Refund Process for $166 Billion in Unlawful Tariffs
On April 20, 2026, the Trump administration launched the CAPE digital portal to process refunds exceeding $166 billion in tariffs deemed unlawful by the U.S. Supreme Court. This initiative follows a March 2026 order from the Court of International Trade, which mandated the refunds after the Supreme Court's February ruling. The long-term implication may involve significant shifts in U.S. trade policy and the financial landscape for importers, as businesses navigate the complexities of the refund process and its impact on future tariff regulations.
10 sourcesApr 22High
- Business· World
Polymarket Negotiates $400 Million Funding at $15 Billion Valuation
Polymarket is in advanced discussions to secure approximately $400 million in funding at a post-money valuation of $15 billion. This surge in interest is driven by increased trading volumes exceeding $10 billion monthly and growing institutional backing following the 2024 U.S. elections. The long-term implication suggests a potential expansion of prediction markets as institutional investors seek to capitalize on this emerging sector.
6 sourcesApr 22High
- Economy· World
US Energy Secretary Confirms Peak Gasoline Prices Amid Iran War De-escalation
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright testified that national average gasoline prices peaked at $4.118 per gallon approximately one week ago, now easing to $4.02. This shift follows a temporary ceasefire in the Iran war, which had previously caused significant disruptions in oil supply and price surges. The long-term implication suggests a potential stabilization of fuel prices if the ceasefire holds, impacting consumer confidence and economic conditions.
7 sourcesApr 22Low
- Business· World
California Attorney General files lawsuit against Amazon for alleged price-fixing
California has initiated legal action against Amazon, accusing the company of coercing brands to increase prices on competing retailers' websites. This lawsuit follows a previous filing in 2022 and is triggered by newly unsealed documents detailing Amazon's alleged tactics. The outcome of this case could reshape pricing strategies in the retail sector and increase regulatory scrutiny on large e-commerce platforms.
4 sourcesApr 22High
- Business· World
Apple Appoints John Ternus as New CEO Effective September 2026
Apple has announced the appointment of John Ternus as CEO, effective September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook who will transition to executive chairman. This decision follows extensive succession planning by the Board of Directors amid ongoing challenges in AI competition and regulatory scrutiny. The leadership change is expected to maintain Apple's focus on hardware innovation and continuity in its strategic direction.
61 sourcesApr 22Very High
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Rise Above $98 as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks Stall
On April 21, 2026, oil prices surged with Brent crude reaching $98.48 per barrel amid global stock market declines. This shift is driven by stalled U.S.-Iran peace negotiations and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, coinciding with the expiration of a temporary ceasefire. The long-term implication suggests continued volatility in energy markets and potential economic strain as geopolitical tensions persist.
15 sourcesApr 22Low
- Economy· MENA
Saudi Tadawul All Share Index Declines Amid Geopolitical Tensions
On April 21, 2026, the Saudi Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) fell 21.83 points to close at 11,344.96, reflecting ongoing market volatility. This decline is attributed to escalating geopolitical tensions related to Iran, including recent US actions and stalled nuclear negotiations. The long-term implication suggests continued market instability as investors react to regional conflicts and their impact on oil prices and equities.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Business· MENA
Saudi Arabia Launches 13 New Shipping Services to Enhance Logistics Resilience
On April 21, 2026, Saudi Arabia announced the introduction of 13 new container shipping services with a capacity exceeding 97,000 TEUs to bolster logistics amid regional disruptions. This initiative is a response to ongoing shipping challenges in the Red Sea, driven by geopolitical tensions and Houthi attacks. The long-term goal includes establishing a robust logistics framework capable of handling over 20 million containers annually by 2030.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Energy Secretary Declares Peak in Gasoline Prices Amid U.S.-Iran Conflict
On April 21, 2026, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that U.S. gasoline prices have peaked following a surge triggered by the U.S.-Iran war. This announcement comes as prices have stabilized at $4.02 per gallon after reaching a peak of $4.17 on April 9, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting oil supply. The long-term implication suggests that if the conflict de-escalates, gasoline prices may continue to decline, impacting inflation and consumer costs.
2 sourcesApr 21Moderate
- Crypto· World
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins Announces Innovation Exemption for Tokenized Securities Trading
On April 21, 2026, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins revealed an upcoming 'innovation exemption' aimed at facilitating compliant on-chain trading of tokenized securities. This announcement is driven by the Trump administration's push to position the U.S. as a global leader in the crypto space, following a joint SEC-CFTC interpretive release that established a new crypto asset taxonomy. The long-term implication is an anticipated acceleration in the adoption of tokenized securities, potentially reshaping the landscape of digital asset trading and increasing competition with established crypto hubs like Dubai.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Crypto· World
North Korea's Lazarus Group Executes $285 Million Theft from Solana's Drift Protocol
On April 1, 2026, North Korea's Lazarus Group stole approximately $285 million from the Drift Protocol through a sophisticated social engineering attack. This incident was triggered by the recent migration of Drift Protocol to a zero-timelock governance model, which removed critical security safeguards. The long-term implication is a potential increase in regulatory scrutiny and security measures across decentralized finance platforms to prevent similar exploits.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Crypto· World
DoorDash Launches Stablecoin Payouts via Tempo Blockchain for Global Operations
On April 21, 2026, DoorDash announced the deployment of stablecoin-powered payouts through the Tempo blockchain. This initiative is driven by the need to enhance cross-border payment efficiency for merchants and Dashers, leveraging Tempo's low-cost, sub-second settlement capabilities. In the long term, this move positions stablecoins as a critical infrastructure for global commerce, potentially reshaping payment systems across various industries.
4 sourcesApr 21Moderate
- Crypto· World
35% of European Investors Consider Switching Banks for Better Cryptocurrency Services
A recent survey by Boerse Stuttgart Digital reveals that 35% of investors in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain are willing to change banks to access superior cryptocurrency services. This shift is driven by the implementation of the EU's MiCA regulation, which has increased investor confidence in cryptocurrency investments. As traditional banks struggle to meet the demand for integrated crypto services, competition is likely to intensify, prompting banks to enhance their offerings or risk losing customers to specialized platforms.
2 sourcesApr 21Moderate
- Economy· World
U.S. Retail Sales Rise 1.7 Percent in March 2026 Amid Gasoline Price Surge
U.S. retail sales increased by 1.7 percent in March 2026, driven by a significant 15.5 percent rise in gasoline station sales. This surge is attributed to escalating fuel prices resulting from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing Iran war. The long-term implication suggests that consumer spending may continue to be influenced by energy price volatility, impacting overall economic growth and inflation rates.
4 sourcesApr 21High
- Business· MENA
Dar Al Balad Business Solutions Co. Moves Forward with IPO Amid Regional Conflict
Dar Al Balad Business Solutions Co. has confirmed its intention to proceed with an initial public offering on April 21, 2026, despite the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. The immediate trigger for this decision is the company's scheduled institutional book-building from April 26 to 30, 2026, which aims to raise under $75 million. This move signifies a potential resilience in the Saudi IPO market, indicating that firms may continue to pursue growth opportunities even amidst geopolitical tensions.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· World
Oil Futures Surge as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks Face Deadline
Oil futures rose sharply on April 20, 2026, amid uncertainty surrounding a second round of U.S.-Iran peace talks as a two-week cease-fire nears expiration. The immediate trigger for this price increase is the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's indecision regarding negotiations, compounded by President Trump's warning of potential military action. Long-term implications suggest that continued volatility in oil prices may persist if a resolution is not reached, impacting global markets and regional stability.
2 sourcesApr 21High
- Economy· World
U.S. Dollar Index Rises Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Tensions and Federal Reserve Hearing
The U.S. dollar strengthened to 98.28 as uncertainty looms over the U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations and Kevin Warsh's Senate confirmation hearing for Federal Reserve Chair. This rise is attributed to safe-haven flows as a U.S. delegation prepares for potential talks in Islamabad, while Warsh emphasizes Fed independence amidst scrutiny. Long-term, the outcome of these negotiations and Warsh's confirmation could significantly impact U.S. monetary policy and global market stability.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Natural Gas Futures Decline Due to Milder Weather and Storage Surplus
On April 21, 2026, U.S. natural gas futures fell approximately 1.2% to 2.656 USD/MMBtu, driven by forecasts of warmer weather reducing demand for heating and power generation. This price decline is occurring as traders anticipate further increases in domestic gas storage levels, which are already above the five-year average. In the long term, this trend may lead to sustained lower prices and increased competitiveness for U.S. LNG in global markets, particularly benefiting regions like the UAE amid ongoing supply disruptions.
2 sourcesApr 21Low