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
8644 stories- Crypto· World
Cryptocurrency Funds See $1.4 Billion in Weekly Inflows Following US-Iran Ceasefire
Cryptocurrency investment funds experienced $1.4 billion in net inflows for the week ending April 18, 2026, marking the largest weekly inflow since January. This surge is attributed to the recent US-Iran ceasefire agreement announced on April 7, which alleviated fears of energy supply disruptions and boosted risk appetite among institutional investors. The long-term implication suggests a continued bullish sentiment in the cryptocurrency market as institutional interest grows amid stabilizing geopolitical conditions.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Strategy Acquires 34,164 Bitcoin for $2.54 Billion Elevating Total Holdings to 815,061 BTC
On April 20, 2026, Strategy announced the acquisition of 34,164 Bitcoin for approximately $2.54 billion, increasing its total holdings to 815,061 BTC. This purchase was triggered by the company's ongoing treasury reserve strategy and was funded through recent equity offerings. The long-term implication is that Strategy solidifies its position as a leading institutional player in the Bitcoin market, potentially influencing corporate adoption trends in cryptocurrency.
2 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Crypto· World
U.S. Bitcoin ETFs See Record Inflows Amid Major DeFi Exploit
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted nearly $1 billion in inflows over the past week, marking the highest level since January 2026. This surge in institutional investment coincided with a significant $292 million exploit of the KelpDAO DeFi protocol, attributed to North Korea's Lazarus Group. The dual events highlight the growing demand for Bitcoin while raising concerns over the security vulnerabilities within the DeFi sector.
2 sourcesApr 20High
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Faces $7.9 Billion Options Expiry with Price Near $75,000
Bitcoin is approaching a $7.9 billion options expiry on April 25, 2026, with its price hovering around $75,000. This situation is driven by significant call open interest and negative funding rates, indicating potential volatility from short squeezes or price pullbacks. The long-term implication suggests that traders may experience heightened volatility, impacting market dynamics as they navigate the expiry event.
2 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Aave Token Price Drops to $89 After Kelp DAO Exploit Causes $293 Million Losses
On April 20, 2026, Aave's AAVE token price fell to an intraday low of $89 following a $293 million exploit at Kelp DAO, resulting in approximately $195 million in bad debt on Aave. The incident was triggered by a vulnerability in a LayerZero bridge, leading to significant outflows from Aave and the freezing of rsETH markets. In the long term, this exploit may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the decentralized finance sector to mitigate interconnected risks.
2 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Economy· World
UK Consumer Confidence Hits Lowest Level Since 2023 Amid US-Iran Tensions
UK consumer confidence indices have fallen to their lowest levels since 2023 due to escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz linked to the US-Iran conflict. The immediate trigger for this decline is the recent US seizure of an Iranian vessel, which has heightened geopolitical uncertainty and contributed to rising energy prices. Long-term implications suggest that continued instability in the region may further strain the UK economy, exacerbating inflation and consumer sentiment issues.
2 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
Gold Prices Drop as US Dollar Strengthens Amid US-Iran Tensions
Gold prices fell on April 20, 2026, primarily due to a firmer US dollar and heightened inflation concerns from surging energy costs, even as US-Iran tensions revived following the US seizure of an Iranian cargo ship. The immediate trigger for this decline is the market's reaction to rising Treasury yields and expectations of tighter Federal Reserve policy, overshadowing gold's traditional safe-haven appeal. Long-term, this trend suggests that gold may remain suppressed below $5,000 per ounce unless there is a significant de-escalation in geopolitical tensions in the region.
2 sourcesApr 20Moderate
- Economy· World
U.S. Stock Index Futures Drop as Iran Reinstates Strait of Hormuz Closure
U.S. stock index futures declined in premarket trading following a record rally, driven by renewed tensions after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation was triggered by the U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, leading to investor caution amid geopolitical instability. The long-term implication suggests continued volatility in global markets, particularly in energy sectors, as the U.S.-Iran conflict remains unresolved.
3 sourcesApr 20High
- 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 at Dubai Islands. This decision is driven by the need to support Dubai's coastal masterplan amid ongoing population growth and tourism expansion. The long-term implication is the establishment of a significant residential and mixed-use development that will enhance Dubai's urban landscape and economic diversification efforts.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· MENA
Oil Prices Surge Over 5% Following Closure of Strait of Hormuz Amid US-Iran Tensions
Oil prices increased by more than 5% on April 20, 2026, due to the effective re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz following US-Iran ceasefire violations. The immediate trigger was Iran's Revolutionary Guard firing on oil tankers and the US Navy detaining an Iranian vessel, escalating fears of a complete ceasefire collapse. Long-term implications include potential disruptions to global oil supply and increased geopolitical tensions in the region.
2 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Economy· World
Spot Gold Prices Drop Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions
Spot gold prices fell 0.61% to $4,800.93 per ounce on April 20, 2026, as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran disrupted market stability. The immediate trigger for this decline was the heightened geopolitical risks following recent military actions and threats in the region, which have also affected oil prices and shipping routes. In the long term, continued instability in the Middle East may lead to further volatility in precious metals and inflationary pressures globally.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Cryptocurrency Prices Fall as Oil Surges Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions
On April 20, 2026, Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana prices declined while Brent crude oil rose 5.7% due to heightened U.S.-Iran tensions following Iran's reimposition of Strait of Hormuz controls and the U.S. naval seizure of an Iranian vessel. This escalation was triggered by President Trump's threats against Iranian infrastructure and Tehran's reluctance to continue negotiations amid a U.S. naval blockade. The long-term implication suggests ongoing volatility in both cryptocurrency and oil markets as geopolitical risks continue to influence investor sentiment and market dynamics.
2 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· MENA
Investor Capital Shifts from Bitcoin to Defense and Energy Stocks Amid Iran War Escalation
The ongoing Iran War, which began on February 28, 2026, has led to a significant reallocation of global investor capital from Bitcoin to defense and energy equities. This shift is triggered by heightened geopolitical risks following coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, which have spiked oil prices and increased defense spending prospects. In the long term, this trend may solidify a preference for traditional sectors over cryptocurrencies, impacting market dynamics and investment strategies.
2 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Week High Amid U.S.-Iran Conflict and Strait of Hormuz Closure
The U.S. dollar index surged to a one-week high of 98.30 on April 20, 2026, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions following the U.S. detention of an Iranian cargo ship and Iran's refusal to negotiate a ceasefire. This escalation marks the eighth week of the U.S.-Iran conflict, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz intensifying global energy supply concerns and prompting investors to seek safe-haven assets. In the long term, continued instability in the region is likely to influence central bank policies and economic forecasts worldwide.
6 sourcesApr 20High
- Business· World
Evoke PLC Confirms Takeover Talks with Bally's Intralot Leading to Share Surge
Evoke PLC shares increased by 7.44% following the confirmation of takeover discussions with Bally's Intralot S.A. for its entire issued share capital. This surge is driven by Evoke's strategic review in response to significant financial challenges, including heavy debt and market pressures in the UK gambling sector. The potential acquisition could provide Evoke with necessary debt relief and reshape the competitive landscape of the gambling industry in the UK.
3 sourcesApr 20Moderate
- Crypto· World
Kelp DAO rsETH Bridge Exploit Results in $292 Million Loss
On April 18, 2026, Kelp DAO's cross-chain bridge for rsETH was exploited, draining 116,500 tokens valued at approximately $292 million. The attack was facilitated by a misconfiguration in LayerZero's verification mechanism, allowing unauthorized token minting across multiple networks. This incident has triggered emergency pauses in various DeFi protocols and raised concerns about the structural vulnerabilities within decentralized finance systems.
2 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Crypto· World
Aave's Total Value Locked Drops by Nearly $8 Billion After Kelp DAO Exploit
Aave's total value locked fell by nearly $8 billion following a $293 million exploit of the Kelp DAO bridge on April 19–20, 2026. The immediate trigger was a vulnerability in Kelp DAO's LayerZero-powered bridge that allowed hackers to drain rsETH tokens and create bad debt on Aave's lending pools. This incident underscores the interconnected risks in DeFi protocols and may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures in the decentralized finance sector.
3 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Economy· World
Gold and silver prices decline amid inflation concerns on April 19, 2026
Gold and silver prices fell in early Asian trade on April 19, 2026, as inflation fears resurfaced due to rising oil prices and ongoing tensions in the Middle East. This decline is occurring now as investors shift focus from geopolitical risks to inflation, diminishing expectations for monetary policy easing by central banks. The long-term implication may lead to sustained pressure on precious metals as real yields rise and safe-haven demand wanes.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
Fire at Geelong Refinery Disrupts Fuel Production and Impacts Share Prices
A significant fire occurred at Viva Energy's Geelong refinery on April 15, 2026, damaging the facility and leading to a 6% drop in the company's share price. The incident was triggered by equipment failure and raised concerns over Australia's fuel supply vulnerabilities amid ongoing Middle East conflicts. In the long term, analysts warn of potential petrol price hikes in Victoria, reflecting broader implications for the national energy market.
2 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
NEXTDC Launches A$2.2 Billion Capital Plan to Expand Data Centre Capacity in Sydney
NEXTDC Ltd has announced a fully funded A$2.2 billion capital plan to accelerate the development of its S4 data centre in Sydney, driven by a record 667 MW of contracted utilisation. This surge in demand for AI-ready infrastructure is attributed to a significant increase in forward orders and overall market growth in Australia's data centre sector. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for NEXTDC in the rapidly expanding data centre market, potentially leading to increased profitability and market share.
2 sourcesApr 20Low