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
8664 stories- Crypto· World
Grinex Cryptocurrency Exchange Loses $15 Million in Cyberattack Blamed on Western Intelligence
On April 16, 2026, Grinex, a cryptocurrency exchange linked to Russia, suffered a cyberattack resulting in the theft of approximately $15 million in USDT from user wallets. The attack is attributed to alleged western special services, coinciding with ongoing geopolitical tensions and previous sanctions against the platform. This incident may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the cryptocurrency sector, particularly for exchanges operating in high-risk jurisdictions.
6 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Crypto· World
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Circle Internet Financial Over Drift Protocol Exploit
On April 14, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts federal court against Circle Internet Financial for allegedly failing to freeze over $230 million in stolen USDC following the Drift Protocol exploit on April 1, 2026. The lawsuit claims that Circle had the authority to halt the funds' movement but did not act, allowing attackers linked to North Korea to transfer assets across multiple transactions. This legal action raises critical questions about the responsibilities of stablecoin issuers in decentralized finance breaches and may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny in the industry.
5 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Crypto· World
Cryptocurrency Market Sees $820 Million Liquidations as Bitcoin Surpasses $78,000
On April 17, 2026, the cryptocurrency market experienced liquidations totaling $820 million, primarily driven by a surge in Bitcoin's price above $78,000. This event was triggered by easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly Iran's announcement regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which boosted risk appetite among investors. The long-term implication suggests a potential shift in market dynamics as traders reassess their positions and leverage in response to renewed bullish sentiment.
4 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Surges Past $77,000 as MicroStrategy Shares Jump 12%
Bitcoin crossed the $77,000 mark on April 17, 2026, reclaiming its 100-day moving average after a ten-week consolidation. This surge was triggered by significant institutional demand, including $597.5 million in Bitcoin ETF inflows and MicroStrategy's recent acquisition of 13,927 BTC. The long-term implication suggests a potential bullish trend in the cryptocurrency market, with expectations of further price increases targeting the $80,000 resistance level.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Payward Inc. to Acquire Bitnomial for $550 Million to Enhance U.S. Crypto Derivatives Infrastructure
On April 17, 2026, Payward Inc. announced its agreement to acquire Bitnomial Exchange for up to $550 million, securing essential CFTC licenses for a comprehensive U.S. crypto derivatives platform. This acquisition is driven by the need for regulated trading solutions amid evolving U.S. regulatory frameworks for digital assets. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for Payward in the global derivatives market, potentially influencing future regulatory developments and competitive dynamics in the crypto industry.
5 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Crypto· World
Circle Launches USDC Bridge for Direct Cross-Chain Transfers Across EVM Networks
Circle has launched the USDC Bridge, enabling native 1:1 transfers of USDC across multiple EVM-compatible blockchains without the need for wrapped tokens. This launch is driven by the need to consolidate USDC liquidity and simplify cross-chain operations, addressing previous complexities and risks associated with third-party bridges. The long-term implication is a potential shift towards greater adoption of native USDC, reducing reliance on fragmented liquidity solutions in the blockchain ecosystem.
3 sourcesApr 19High
- Crypto· World
Grinex Cryptocurrency Exchange Halts Operations After $13.74 Million Cyberattack
Grinex, a cryptocurrency exchange with ties to Russia, suspended its operations on April 15, 2026, following a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of approximately $13.74 million in USDT. The attack is attributed to alleged Western intelligence agencies aiming to disrupt Russia's financial activities, coinciding with ongoing geopolitical tensions. This incident may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory actions against cryptocurrency exchanges linked to sanctioned entities in the future.
3 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Crypto· World
Binance and Bitget Investigate Alleged Insider Manipulation of RaveDAO Token Following 4,500% Surge
Binance and Bitget have initiated investigations into suspected market manipulation of RaveDAO's RAVE token, which surged 4,500% in one week before crashing over 68%. The immediate trigger for these investigations is the allegation by on-chain investigator ZachXBT that insiders orchestrated the price rally by manipulating token deposits and withdrawals. This incident may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory actions within the cryptocurrency market, particularly affecting tokens with low circulating supply and high insider ownership.
3 sourcesApr 19Very High
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO Exploit Leads to $292 Million Theft and Aave ETH Pool Crisis
An attacker exploited a vulnerability in KelpDAO's rsETH cross-chain bridge, resulting in the theft of 116,500 rsETH valued at approximately $292 million. This incident was triggered by a flaw in LayerZero's messaging layer, allowing the attacker to mint unbacked rsETH and subsequently borrow significant amounts from Aave, leading to a liquidity crisis. The long-term implications include heightened scrutiny on cross-chain protocols and potential regulatory responses as the DeFi sector grapples with security vulnerabilities.
3 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Crypto· World
Arkham Intelligence Labels Morgan Stanley Bitcoin ETF Wallets for Public Tracking
Arkham Intelligence has publicly labeled three on-chain wallets linked to Morgan Stanley's newly launched MSBT Bitcoin ETF, allowing real-time monitoring of its Bitcoin holdings. This development follows the ETF's launch on April 8, 2026, which marked a significant entry of a major U.S. bank into the Bitcoin market amid increasing institutional adoption. The long-term implication is a potential shift towards greater transparency in cryptocurrency holdings, influencing investor confidence and market dynamics.
5 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Crypto· World
CME Bitcoin Options Open Interest Remains Heavily Skewed Toward Puts Amid Price Consolidation
On April 18, 2026, Bitcoin CME options open interest remained predominantly put-dominant as the price stabilized around $76,000. This trend is driven by institutional traders engaging in hedging behavior following Bitcoin's significant price drop from late-2025 highs above $125,000. The long-term implication suggests continued caution in the derivatives market as participants await clearer signals on Bitcoin's price floor ahead of the April 24 expiry.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
French Finance Minister Calls for Increased Euro-Pegged Stablecoins to Mitigate Dollar Dependence
On April 17, 2026, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure urged European banks to develop more euro-backed stablecoins. This call comes as the market share of euro-pegged stablecoins remains significantly low at 0.207%, highlighting the need for financial sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions. The long-term implication is a potential shift in the European financial landscape towards greater reliance on euro-based digital assets, particularly with the planned Qivalis launch in H2 2026.
4 sourcesApr 19Low - Crypto· World
Iran Enforces Cryptocurrency Tolls for Oil Transit in Strait of Hormuz
On April 8, 2026, Iran imposed tolls payable in Bitcoin and stablecoins for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This decision follows the ongoing 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, triggered by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, which has forced Iran to adopt cryptocurrency to circumvent sanctions. The long-term implication may see a shift in global oil trade dynamics as Iran leverages digital currencies to maintain its oil exports amidst geopolitical tensions.
6 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Surges Above $77,000 Amid Low Investor Sentiment
Bitcoin's price rose above $77,000 for the first time in 11 weeks on April 17, 2026, driven by hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East. Despite this price increase, investor sentiment remains extremely low, with a 3:2 ratio of bearish to bullish comments on social media reflecting ongoing retail fatigue. Analysts suggest that this persistent fear could lead to a potential short-squeeze and target prices between $84,000 and $90,000 in the near future.
5 sourcesApr 19High
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO Exploit Results in $292 Million Loss and $236 Million Bad Debt on Aave
KelpDAO experienced a significant exploit on April 18, 2026, resulting in the theft of $292 million through its LayerZero rsETH bridge. The attack was triggered by a vulnerability in the bridge's single-signer configuration, allowing the attacker to mint unbacked tokens and create substantial bad debt on Aave. This incident underscores the ongoing risks in decentralized finance, likely prompting increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the industry.
3 sourcesApr 19Very High
- Economy· World
Euro Area Inflation Rate Rises to 2.6% Amid Energy Price Surge
The Euro area annual inflation rate increased to 2.6% in March 2026, surpassing the previous month's rate of 1.9%. This rise is attributed to a significant spike in energy prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly affecting oil supplies. The long-term implication suggests that the European Central Bank may need to adjust its monetary policy to address sustained inflationary pressures in the region.
5 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
PepsiCo Reports 8.5 Percent Revenue Growth in Q1 2026 Driven by Price Reductions
PepsiCo announced an 8.5 percent increase in revenue for Q1 2026, reaching $19.44 billion, attributed to strategic price reductions on core snack brands. This shift follows a series of price hikes that previously diminished consumer demand, prompting the company to adjust its pricing strategy in response to activist investor pressure. The long-term implication suggests a renewed focus on value pricing and innovation to regain market share and consumer loyalty in a competitive landscape.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Circle CEO Highlights Potential for Yuan-Backed Stablecoin in Global Currency Landscape
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire announced a significant opportunity for a yuan-backed stablecoin during a recent interview in Hong Kong. This statement comes as China is reportedly considering the launch of such a stablecoin within the next three to five years, driven by the ongoing competition between the U.S. dollar and the yuan. The long-term implication suggests that the introduction of a yuan stablecoin could reshape global payment systems and enhance China's financial influence internationally.
4 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
Charles Schwab Launches Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading for U.S. Retail Clients
On April 16, 2026, Charles Schwab Corporation announced the launch of Schwab Crypto, a platform for direct spot trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum for eligible U.S. retail clients. This initiative is driven by recent regulatory clarity from the SEC and CFTC, allowing Schwab to expand its cryptocurrency offerings after years of indirect exposure. The long-term implication is a potential shift in the retail investment landscape, as more clients gain access to direct cryptocurrency trading through established brokerage platforms.
5 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Business· World
Madison Air Solutions Completes $2.23 Billion IPO on NYSE with 18 Percent Share Surge
Madison Air Solutions Corp. successfully raised $2.23 billion in its initial public offering, marking the largest U.S. industrial IPO since 1999. The surge in demand for data center infrastructure, driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence, prompted this significant market entry. This IPO signals a renewed investor confidence in the industrial sector, particularly in companies supporting AI and cloud computing growth.
3 sourcesApr 19Moderate