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
Tether Allocates $127.5 Million for Drift Protocol Recovery After $295 Million Exploit
Tether has proposed a contribution of up to $127.5 million to support Drift Protocol's recovery plan following a $295 million exploit attributed to North Korean hackers on April 1, 2026. This funding comes as Drift seeks to relaunch as the largest USDT-settled perpetual futures exchange on Solana, amid criticism of Circle's handling of the stolen USDC. The incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in DeFi platforms and may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the cryptocurrency sector.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
Blue Owl Capital Co-Founders Revise Loan Terms Amid Stock Price Decline
On April 17, 2026, Blue Owl Capital co-CEOs Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz announced changes to personal loan terms, removing the firm's shares as collateral. This decision was prompted by a nearly 40 percent drop in Blue Owl's stock price due to turmoil in the private credit market and significant fund redemption requests. The long-term implication may involve increased scrutiny of private credit firms and potential shifts in collateral practices within the industry.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· UAE
Cerebras Systems Files for Nasdaq IPO Amid Rising AI Demand
Cerebras Systems Inc. has filed a registration statement for an initial public offering on Nasdaq, revealing a significant revenue increase driven by major UAE customers. This move follows the resolution of U.S. national security reviews related to foreign investments, coinciding with a surge in demand for AI training hardware. The IPO is expected to bolster Cerebras' position in the competitive AI market and attract further investment in the sector.
7 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
Ford recalls over 1.3 million F-150 trucks due to transmission defect
Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for 1,392,935 model year 2015-2017 F-150 pickup trucks due to a transmission range sensor malfunction that can lead to unintended downshifts. This recall follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prompted by 138 consumer complaints regarding sudden downshifts. The long-term implication may involve increased scrutiny on Ford's safety practices and potential regulatory actions as the company has faced multiple recalls recently.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
American Airlines Denies Merger Proposal from United Airlines Over Antitrust Concerns
On April 17, 2026, American Airlines publicly rejected a merger proposal from United Airlines, citing potential harm to competition and consumers. This decision follows discussions initiated by United CEO Scott Kirby with Trump administration officials, aimed at enhancing competitiveness amid rising fuel prices. The long-term implication suggests ongoing scrutiny of airline mergers and potential regulatory challenges in the U.S. airline industry.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
Henry Paulson Issues Warning of Imminent U.S. Treasury Market Crisis
On April 16, 2026, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson warned of a potential crash in the U.S. Treasury market due to declining demand for government bonds. This warning comes amid escalating fiscal pressures, including a national debt of $38.9 trillion and rising Treasury yields, prompting calls for an emergency contingency plan. If unaddressed, this situation could lead to a severe sovereign debt crisis, limiting the government's ability to respond effectively to financial instability.
5 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
QXO Inc. to Acquire TopBuild Corp. for $17 Billion
On April 19, 2026, QXO Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire TopBuild Corp. for approximately $17 billion. This acquisition is part of QXO's strategy to consolidate the U.S. building products distribution industry amid rising demand for construction services. The deal is expected to enhance QXO's market position, making it North America's second-largest public building products distributor with significant synergies anticipated by 2030.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
IMF and World Bank Restore Relations with Venezuela After Seven-Year Hiatus
On April 16, 2026, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced the resumption of dealings with Venezuela, recognizing the interim government under Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. This shift follows recent U.S. actions, including sanctions relief and liberalization of mining sectors, which facilitated international re-engagement. The long-term implication is the potential for economic recovery in Venezuela, contingent on data provision and necessary reforms for IMF support.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Business· World
OnlyFans Engages in Advanced Talks for Minority Stake Sale Valued Over $3 Billion
OnlyFans has entered advanced negotiations to sell a minority stake of less than 20% to Architect Capital, valuing the company at over $3 billion. This move follows the death of majority owner Leonid Radvinsky, prompting the company to seek external investment to ensure stability and expand financial services for creators. The long-term implication may include enhanced banking access for creators and a shift towards fintech solutions within the adult content industry.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
IMF and World Bank Warn Developing Economies Face Severe Economic Fallout from Iran War
IMF and World Bank officials issued warnings on April 18, 2026, about the disproportionate economic impacts of the ongoing Iran war on developing countries. The immediate trigger for these warnings is the surge in oil prices and inflation caused by the conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026. Long-term implications include a projected increase of 32 million people falling into poverty globally, necessitating additional financial support for vulnerable nations.
4 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
Brent Crude Prices Drop as Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz During Ceasefire
Brent crude futures fell 9.07% to $90.38 per barrel, while WTI crude dropped 11.45% to $83.85 following Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels during the ceasefire. This significant price decline is attributed to reduced fears of supply disruptions in a key oil transit route, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump. In the long term, the reopening may lead to increased volatility in oil prices as negotiations continue and tensions in the region remain fragile.
3 sourcesApr 20High
- Business· World
Global Airlines Cut Capacity Due to Jet Fuel Price Surge Amid Iran Conflict
On April 18, 2026, major airlines worldwide announced reductions in flight capacity and route cancellations due to a significant surge in jet fuel prices linked to the ongoing Iran war. This crisis was triggered by a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted oil supplies and caused jet fuel costs to double since late February. Long-term implications include potential fare increases and prolonged recovery for the aviation industry as European carriers face looming fuel shortages and operational challenges.
3 sourcesApr 20Moderate
- Economy· World
Credit Investors Shift to Riskier Bonds Amid Optimism Over Iran-US Truce Extension
On April 18, 2026, credit investors globally increased their exposure to riskier debt instruments, purchasing a net $500 million in lower-tier investment-grade bonds while selling $7.3 billion in higher-rated bonds. This shift is driven by optimism surrounding the extension of a recent truce between Iran and the US following the outbreak of war on February 28. In the long term, this trend may indicate a broader recovery in global credit markets as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East appear to be easing.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Drop 11.4% as Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz for Commercial Traffic
Iran's Foreign Minister announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels during a ceasefire in Lebanon, leading to a significant drop in U.S. crude oil prices. This announcement comes after a prolonged period of heightened tensions and supply disruptions due to the ongoing Iran war, which had previously driven prices above $120 per barrel. The long-term implications may include increased stability in global oil markets, but ongoing U.S. sanctions and naval blockades could hinder full recovery of shipping traffic.
29 sourcesApr 20High
- Business· World
Air Canada Suspends Flights to New York JFK Amid Iran War Fuel Crisis
Air Canada has announced the suspension of all flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York JFK from June 1 to October 25, 2026, due to soaring jet fuel prices. This decision is triggered by the ongoing war in Iran, which has caused jet fuel prices to double, making these routes economically unviable. The long-term implication is a potential shift in airline operations and route planning as the aviation industry grapples with sustained fuel price volatility and geopolitical tensions.
3 sourcesApr 20High
- Economy· World
U.S. Energy Secretary Warns Gas Prices May Stay Above $3 Until 2027
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that national average gasoline prices are unlikely to fall below $3 per gallon until 2027. This statement comes amid ongoing disruptions from the U.S.-Iran war, which has significantly impacted oil supply and prices. The long-term implication suggests continued public dissatisfaction with inflation and energy policies, potentially affecting political dynamics ahead of the midterm elections.
3 sourcesApr 20High
- Economy· MENA
Libya's First Unified National Budget Signed Ending Years of Fiscal Division
Libya's House of Representatives and High Council of State signed the country's first unified national budget for 2026, totaling 190 billion Libyan dinars. This agreement comes after over 13 years of political rivalry and fiscal division, facilitated by US-mediated negotiations. The long-term implication is a potential stabilization of Libya's economy and improved international relations, particularly with the nations that endorsed the agreement.
2 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO rsETH Bridge Exploit Triggers Aave Liquidity Crisis
On April 18, 2026, a vulnerability in KelpDAO's rsETH bridge was exploited, resulting in the theft of approximately 116,500 rsETH and a subsequent liquidity crisis for the Aave lending protocol. This incident was triggered by attackers depositing stolen tokens as collateral on Aave, leading to massive withdrawals exceeding $5.4 billion and a significant drop in total value locked. The long-term implication is a heightened scrutiny of cross-chain bridge security and potential regulatory responses to protect DeFi users from similar exploits in the future.
2 sourcesApr 19Very High - Business· World
QXO Inc. to Acquire TopBuild Corp. for $17 Billion
On April 19, 2026, QXO Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire TopBuild Corp. for approximately $17 billion. This acquisition is driven by QXO's strategy to consolidate the North American building products distribution industry amid increasing demand for construction and renovation services. The long-term implication is the creation of a major player in the sector, expected to generate significant synergies and reshape market dynamics by 2030.
2 sourcesApr 19High
- Crypto· World
Kelp DAO Exploit Results in $293 Million Loss and $6 Billion Decline in Aave TVL
Kelp DAO was exploited for approximately $293 million on April 18, 2026, due to a vulnerability in its LayerZero-powered cross-chain bridge. This incident triggered emergency pauses across affected DeFi protocols, leading to a $6 billion decline in total value locked in Aave as users withdrew their funds. The exploit underscores systemic risks in cross-chain infrastructure and may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the DeFi sector.
3 sourcesApr 19Very High