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· World
Associated British Foods Reports Earnings Miss Due to Middle East Conflict Impact on Primark
Associated British Foods plc reported a first-half earnings miss on April 21, 2026, with group sales of £9.47 billion falling short of expectations. The decline in consumer demand at Primark was attributed to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has negatively affected consumer sentiment in key markets. This situation may lead to further strategic shifts in retail operations and consumer engagement as companies adapt to geopolitical uncertainties.
5 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· World
UK Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.9% Amid Rising Economic Inactivity
The United Kingdom's unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.9% in the three months ending February 2026. This decline is attributed to a rise in economic inactivity among students not actively seeking work, despite cooling job vacancies and wage growth. Long-term implications suggest potential fragility in the labor market, with forecasts indicating higher unemployment due to cost pressures and weaker demand.
4 sourcesApr 21Moderate
- Economy· World
Spot Gold Prices Hit One-Week Low Amid U.S. Dollar Strength
Spot gold prices fell to $4,807.91 per ounce on April 21, 2026, marking the lowest level since April 13. This decline is attributed to a strengthening U.S. dollar driven by renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have raised inflation fears and increased demand for the dollar as a safe-haven asset. Long-term, if tensions de-escalate, there may be a rebound in gold prices as investors reassess their positions in response to geopolitical stability.
7 sourcesApr 21Low
- Crypto· UAE
KAIO Secures $8 Million Funding from Tether to Enhance Tokenization Infrastructure in Abu Dhabi
KAIO, a regulated tokenization firm based in Abu Dhabi, has raised $8 million in a strategic funding round led by Tether. This investment is driven by the need to scale KAIO's platform for tokenizing traditional funds, aligning with Tether's strategy to integrate USDT into institutional tokenization. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for the UAE as a global hub for compliant on-chain financial solutions, potentially attracting more institutional investments in the region.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Crypto· World
Aave Protocol Faces $293 Million Bad Debt After Kelp DAO Exploit
On April 20, 2026, Aave's risk manager LlamaRisk detailed two scenarios for allocating bad debt resulting from a $293 million exploit of the Kelp DAO's LayerZero bridge. The immediate trigger was the exploitation of vulnerabilities in the bridge, which allowed attackers to drain 116,500 rsETH tokens and utilize them as collateral on Aave. This incident is likely to prompt significant governance discussions within the DeFi community regarding loss allocation and risk management strategies moving forward.
2 sourcesApr 21High
- Crypto· World
Kelp DAO Exploit Results in $292 Million Loss Attributed to North Korean Lazarus Group
On April 18, 2026, Kelp DAO's LayerZero-powered rsETH bridge was exploited, draining 116,500 rsETH tokens valued at approximately $292 million. The attack was triggered by a compromise of RPC nodes and a single decentralized verifier network configuration, which allowed attackers to approve a forged cross-chain message. This incident is likely to lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures on cross-chain bridge security within the DeFi sector.
5 sourcesApr 21High
- Crypto· World
BIS General Manager Warns of Financial Stability Risks from $320 Billion Stablecoin Market
On April 20, 2026, BIS General Manager Pablo Hernández de Cos highlighted the $320 billion stablecoin market as a financial stability risk during a speech in Tokyo. This warning comes amid stalled global regulatory efforts, raising concerns about potential runs and disruptions to monetary policy. The long-term implication may lead to increased regulatory coordination globally, impacting the accessibility and operation of stablecoins in various markets.
3 sourcesApr 21Moderate
- Crypto· World
Moody's Reports Stablecoins Present Limited Immediate Risk to Banking Sector
On April 20, 2026, Moody's Investors Service assessed that stablecoins pose a limited disruption risk to the banking sector in the near term. This conclusion is driven by U.S. regulatory bans on yield-bearing stablecoins and the robustness of existing payment systems. In the long term, however, the growth of stablecoin adoption may exert pressure on traditional banking models as competition increases.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Business· World
Zions Bancorporation Reports Significant Q1 2026 Earnings Growth Amid Revenue Miss
Zions Bancorporation announced a 37% year-over-year increase in net earnings for Q1 2026, totaling $232 million. This surge in earnings is attributed to lower funding costs and an improved asset mix, despite total revenue falling short of analyst expectations. The long-term implication suggests that while profitability remains strong, investor sentiment may be cautious due to revenue performance, potentially impacting future stock valuations.
2 sourcesApr 21Low
- Business· World
Steel Dynamics Reports Significant Profit Surge Driven by Record Steel Shipments
Steel Dynamics, Inc. announced an 86% year-over-year increase in first-quarter 2026 profit, reaching $403.4 million, attributed to record steel shipments of 3.6 million tons. This surge is occurring due to heightened demand and improved pricing in the U.S. steel market, alongside a recovery in manufacturing and construction sectors. The long-term implication suggests a potential strengthening of domestic steel production capabilities and increased competitiveness against imports, impacting global steel pricing dynamics.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· World
Crude oil prices decline as US-Iran peace talks are anticipated amid ceasefire expiration
On April 21, 2026, crude oil prices fell as investors reacted to the likelihood of US-Iran peace talks proceeding, which could reopen Middle East oil supply routes. This shift is occurring due to the imminent expiration of a ceasefire and ongoing geopolitical tensions, including US blockades and Iranian port closures. Long-term implications may include a stabilization of oil prices if negotiations succeed, but persistent supply risks remain a concern for the market.
7 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· UAE
UAE Launches Emirati Tax Agent Programme to Train 500 Local Tax Experts
The Emirati Tax Agent Programme commenced on April 18, 2026, with the first cohort of 50 Emirati trainees in Dubai. This initiative is driven by the UAE's need to develop a skilled workforce in response to the introduction of VAT and corporate tax, aligning with Emiratisation policies. Long-term, this program aims to enhance local expertise in the tax sector, supporting the UAE's economic competitiveness and entrepreneurial vision.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· World
Dubai Chambers Strengthens Economic Ties with Philippines through High-Level Meetings
Dubai Chambers concluded high-level meetings in Manila aimed at enhancing bilateral investment and trade relations with the Philippines. This initiative follows the recent opening of a Dubai International Chamber office in Manila, reflecting a strategic push to facilitate trade and investment in key sectors. Long-term, this collaboration is expected to bolster Dubai's role as a re-export hub and create opportunities for local firms in technology sectors, contributing to economic diversification in the region.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Business· UAE
Sharjah Police Opens New Vehicle Licence Plate Printing Facility in Al Suyoh
Sharjah Police inaugurated a vehicle licence plate printing facility at the Al Ehsan Vehicle Inspection Centre in Al Suyoh on April 18, 2026. This initiative was launched to meet the increasing demand for traffic services due to rapid population growth in the emirate. The long-term implication is an enhanced efficiency in traffic service delivery, contributing to improved public satisfaction and streamlined vehicle-related transactions.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Department of Energy Exchanges 26 Million Barrels from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded contracts for the exchange of 26 million barrels of crude oil from the West Hackberry site of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This decision is driven by the need to address short-term supply constraints amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly related to the Iran conflict. In the long term, this initiative is likely to stabilize global oil prices and enhance market liquidity while ensuring the U.S. meets its commitments to the International Energy Agency.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· UAE
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism Launches Essential Goods Prices Platform
On April 19, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism launched the Essential Goods Prices Platform to enable consumers to compare real-time prices of 33 essential goods across 12 retailers. This initiative is driven by the need to enhance price transparency and protect consumer purchasing power amid economic pressures. The long-term implication is a potential shift towards greater retail competition and improved consumer rights in the UAE market.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· MENA
Oil Prices Rise Over 5% Due to Escalating Tensions in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices surged more than 5% on April 20, 2026, amid renewed fears of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the US seizure of an Iranian vessel and gunfire from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. This spike in prices is triggered by the collapse of a fragile ceasefire and ongoing military tensions in the region. Long-term, these developments may lead to sustained volatility in global oil markets and increased geopolitical instability in the Persian Gulf.
7 sourcesApr 21Moderate
- Business· UAE
Nakheel Awards Dh527 Million Infrastructure Contract for Dubai Islands Development
Nakheel has awarded a Dh527 million contract to Al Nasr Contracting for infrastructure works on Island B of the Dubai Islands project. This decision is driven by the need to establish essential utilities and support the anticipated population growth and urban expansion in Dubai. The long-term implication is the facilitation of large-scale residential and commercial developments, enhancing Dubai's position as a key urban center and tourist destination.
3 sourcesApr 21Low
- Business· MENA
International Flights to Qatar Resume Following US-Iran Ceasefire
International flights to Qatar resumed full operations on April 20, 2026, as announced by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. This restoration follows a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, which was necessary to assess safety after regional conflicts led to airspace closures. The long-term implication is a gradual recovery of aviation markets in the region, with airlines planning to expand services as tensions stabilize.
4 sourcesApr 21Low
- Economy· MENA
Libya Signs First Unified National Budget Since 2013 with International Support
On April 11, 2026, Libya's House of Representatives and High Council of State signed the first unified national budget since 2013. This agreement, welcomed by the UAE and nine other countries, aims to unify Libya's economic institutions amidst ongoing political divisions. The long-term implication is a potential stabilization of Libya's economy and the preservation of the dinar's value, which may facilitate future international investments and development projects.
5 sourcesApr 21Low