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 Futures Markets Experience $826 Million Liquidation as Bitcoin Surpasses $78,000
On April 17, 2026, cryptocurrency futures markets liquidated $826 million in leveraged positions as Bitcoin's price exceeded $78,000. This surge was triggered by easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which fostered bullish sentiment. The long-term implication suggests increased volatility in cryptocurrency markets as geopolitical factors continue to influence trading dynamics.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Circle Internet Financial Sued for Negligence Over $230 Million USDC Theft Following Drift Protocol Exploit
Circle Internet Financial is facing a class action lawsuit filed on April 14, 2026, for allegedly failing to freeze over $230 million in stolen USDC after the Drift Protocol exploit on April 1, 2026. The lawsuit was triggered by claims that Circle allowed attackers, suspected to be North Korean state actors, to transfer stolen funds despite having the technical ability to intervene. This incident highlights significant regulatory gaps in the cryptocurrency sector and may lead to increased scrutiny and calls for legislative changes regarding fund security and response protocols in the DeFi space.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Grinex cryptocurrency exchange halts operations after $13.7 million cyberattack linked to state actors
On April 16, 2026, Grinex, a cryptocurrency exchange with ties to Russia, suspended all operations following a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of over 1 billion rubles. The immediate trigger for this suspension was the sophisticated nature of the attack, attributed to foreign intelligence services aiming to undermine Russia's financial systems. In the long term, this incident may exacerbate geopolitical tensions and lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges operating in sanctioned environments.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Breaks 100-Day Moving Average Amid MicroStrategy Stock Surge
Bitcoin surpassed its 100-day moving average on April 17, 2026, reaching a high of $77,391 after a prolonged consolidation phase. This breakout was triggered by significant market dynamics, including a $450 million absorption of sell orders and a notable $597.5 million inflow into spot ETFs, alongside MicroStrategy's recent acquisition of 13,927 BTC. The long-term implication suggests a potential bullish trend for Bitcoin, with analysts eyeing $80,000 as the next resistance level and increased institutional interest in cryptocurrency markets.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Payward Inc. acquires Bitnomial for $550 million to enhance U.S. crypto derivatives offerings
On April 17, 2026, Payward Inc. announced its acquisition of Bitnomial, a fully CFTC-licensed crypto derivatives firm, for up to $550 million. This strategic move is driven by Payward's goal to expand its regulated derivatives capabilities in the U.S. market amidst evolving regulatory clarity for digital assets. The acquisition is expected to solidify Payward's position in the crypto derivatives space and may lead to further consolidation in the industry as firms seek compliance and competitive advantages.
5 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO exploit leads to Aave liquidity crisis and $6 billion TVL drop
On April 18, 2026, an attacker exploited KelpDAO's LayerZero bridge, minting 116,500 unbacked rsETH tokens valued at $292 million. This exploit triggered a liquidity crisis in Aave's ETH pool, causing utilization to reach 100% and prompting over $5 billion in withdrawals. The long-term implication is a potential reevaluation of security protocols in decentralized finance, as the incident may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures in the crypto space.
3 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Crypto· World
Circle Launches USDC Bridge for Cross-Chain Transfers Across EVM-Compatible Blockchains
Circle has launched the USDC Bridge, enabling direct 1:1 transfers of USDC between EVM-compatible networks without the need for wrapped tokens or liquidity pools. This launch is driven by the need to streamline cross-chain transactions and enhance liquidity management, particularly as CCTP V1 phases out. The long-term implication is an increased adoption of USDC in decentralized finance, potentially positioning it as a stronger competitor against other stablecoins like USDT.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
French Finance Minister Calls for Increased Euro-Pegged Stablecoins to Reduce Dollar Dependence
On April 17, 2026, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure urged European banks to develop more euro-pegged stablecoins. This initiative is driven by the need to enhance Europe's financial sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions and the dominance of US dollar stablecoins. The long-term implication is a potential shift in the stablecoin market, with projections indicating euro stablecoins could grow significantly by 2030.
4 sourcesApr 20Moderate
- Crypto· World
U.S. Court Dismisses Securities Claims Against Caitlyn Jenner's JENNER Memecoin
On April 16, 2026, a U.S. District Court dismissed federal securities claims against Caitlyn Jenner's JENNER memecoin, ruling it did not meet the criteria of an unregistered security. The dismissal was triggered by the court's finding that the token lacked evidence of a common enterprise as defined by the Howey test. This ruling may set a precedent that could influence the regulatory landscape for celebrity-endorsed cryptocurrencies and similar projects in the future.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Price Drops to $75,000 Following Iran's Closure of Strait of Hormuz
Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, 2026, in response to a United States naval blockade of its ports, triggering a Bitcoin price drop from $78,400 to approximately $75,000. The immediate causality stems from renewed tensions in the ongoing US-Iran war, which has disrupted oil trade and shifted market focus. Long-term implications include potential further volatility in cryptocurrency markets and rising oil prices impacting global inflation.
9 sourcesApr 20High
- Crypto· World
Alcoa Corporation in Advanced Negotiations to Sell Massena East Smelter to NYDIG
Alcoa Corporation has announced advanced negotiations to sell its idled Massena East smelter site in New York to Bitcoin mining firm NYDIG. This move is prompted by the rising demand for energy-intensive digital infrastructure and Alcoa's strategy to divest idle smelter properties. The long-term implication may see a significant shift in the U.S. Bitcoin mining landscape, enhancing North American capacity for cryptocurrency operations.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
RaveDAO RAVE Token Plummets 90% Amid Exchange Investigations for Market Manipulation
On April 19, 2026, RaveDAO's RAVE token experienced a dramatic 90% price collapse, dropping from $27.33 to $1.15 within 24 hours. This decline was triggered by allegations of insider manipulation, with investigations launched by major exchanges Binance and Bitget into suspicious trading activities. The long-term implications may include increased regulatory scrutiny on microcap tokens and potential changes in trading practices within the cryptocurrency market.
6 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Crypto· World
U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Nearly $1 Billion in Net Inflows Amid Institutional Demand
U.S.-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded approximately $996 million in net inflows during the trading week ending April 17, 2026. This surge follows renewed institutional interest driven by easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a bullish Bitcoin price trend. The long-term implication suggests a strengthening of Bitcoin's market position and potential for further institutional investment in cryptocurrency assets.
4 sourcesApr 20Moderate
- Crypto· World
XRP ETFs Achieve Record $55.39 Million Net Inflows Amid Institutional Demand
XRP exchange-traded funds and products recorded $55.39 million in net inflows during the week ending April 19, 2026, marking the strongest weekly performance of the year. This surge is driven by renewed institutional interest and a more than 7% increase in XRP's price, following a period of weaker inflows due to macroeconomic volatility. The long-term implication suggests a bullish market structure for XRP, potentially leading to increased institutional adoption and higher price projections in the coming months.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Surpasses Key Resistance with Significant ETF Inflows
Ethereum has broken above the 100-day simple moving average resistance, trading over $2,300 and establishing this level as support. This surge is driven by $275.83 million in weekly inflows to US Spot Ether ETFs, marking the highest inflow since January 2026, alongside positive signals from derivatives markets. Analysts predict further price increases if Ethereum maintains this support level, indicating a potential bullish trend in the cryptocurrency market.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO LayerZero Bridge Exploit Results in $293 Million Loss and $10.59 Billion DeFi TVL Decline
An exploit on KelpDAO's LayerZero bridge allowed an attacker to mint $293 million in unbacked rsETH tokens, leading to significant market disruptions. This incident was triggered by a vulnerability in the bridge's Decentralized Verifier Network, which enabled uncollateralized minting of tokens. The long-term implications include increased scrutiny and potential regulatory responses for DeFi protocols and cross-chain technologies.
8 sourcesApr 20Very High
- Business· World
Manycore Tech Inc. Shares Surge 144% on Hong Kong IPO Debut
Manycore Tech Inc. experienced a 144% surge in share price on its debut at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on April 17, 2026. This remarkable performance was driven by overwhelming investor demand, with the public offering oversubscribed 1,591 times, reflecting strong interest in China's AI sector. The long-term implication suggests a growing trend of Chinese AI firms going public, potentially leading to increased competition and innovation in the industry.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
AEVEX Corp. raises $320 million in NYSE IPO amid rising demand for drone technology
AEVEX Corp. successfully launched its initial public offering, raising $320 million with shares debuting at $23.01 on April 17, 2026. The immediate trigger for this IPO is the heightened demand for unmanned aircraft systems driven by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. In the long term, this move positions AEVEX to capitalize on the growing defense sector and expand its market presence in autonomous systems.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· UAE
State Street Corporation Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings with $2.84 EPS and $3.8 Billion Revenue
State Street Corporation announced its Q1 2026 earnings on April 17, 2026, exceeding analyst expectations with an adjusted EPS of $2.84 and revenue of $3.8 billion. This positive performance is attributed to robust growth in fee revenue and net interest income amid favorable market conditions. The long-term implication suggests continued strategic expansion in the UAE, enhancing the firm's position in the asset servicing market and potentially increasing job creation in the region.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
Reed Hastings to Depart as Netflix Board Chairman in June 2026
On April 16, 2026, Reed Hastings announced he will step down as chairman of Netflix's board of directors in June 2026. This decision follows the company's Q1 earnings report, which showed strong revenue but cautious guidance, leading to a significant drop in stock value. The long-term implication may involve a strategic shift for Netflix as it navigates post-hypergrowth challenges and increased competition in the streaming market.
5 sourcesApr 20Low