
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
ETH/BTC Ratio Hits Three-Month High Amid Increased Ethereum Activity
The ETH/BTC ratio reached 0.0313 on April 14, 2026, marking its highest level since January. This surge is attributed to a significant 82% increase in new Ethereum users during Q1 2026 and a record stablecoin supply of $180 billion. The long-term implication suggests a potential capital rotation towards Ethereum, indicating a shift in market dynamics within the cryptocurrency sector.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitmine Immersion Technologies Reports $3.82 Billion Net Loss Due to Ethereum Impairments
Bitmine Immersion Technologies has reported a net loss of $3.82 billion for the quarter ending February 28, 2026, primarily driven by unrealized losses on its Ethereum holdings. This significant financial setback is attributed to a 32% decline in Ethereum prices during the first quarter of 2026, exacerbated by market corrections and geopolitical tensions. The long-term implication for the company may involve a reevaluation of its aggressive ETH accumulation strategy amidst increasing volatility in the cryptocurrency market.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Tether Transfers 951 BTC to Reserve Wallet as Holdings Exceed 97,000 BTC
On April 15, 2026, Tether transferred 951 Bitcoin valued at approximately $70 million from a Bitfinex wallet to its reserve address, increasing its total Bitcoin holdings to 97,141 BTC. This transfer is part of Tether's ongoing strategy to allocate 15% of its net realized operating profits toward Bitcoin acquisitions, enhancing reserve diversification. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for Tether in the cryptocurrency market, particularly in regions like the UAE where USDT is widely used, potentially increasing liquidity and confidence among traders.
5 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
BitMEX Research Proposes Canary Fund to Address Quantum Threats to Bitcoin
On April 16, 2026, BitMEX Research introduced a reactive 'canary fund' proposal to counter the proactive BIP-361 migration plan aimed at mitigating quantum computing risks to Bitcoin. This initiative arises in response to growing concerns about quantum threats, particularly as research indicates feasible attacks could occur by 2029. The long-term implication may lead to a shift in Bitcoin security strategies, prioritizing user control and evidence-based activation over mandatory asset migrations.
4 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Denmark's Cryptocurrency Ownership Remains at 4% in 2025
A recent report by Danmarks Nationalbank indicates that 4% of Danish citizens owned cryptocurrency in 2025, unchanged from 2023 levels. This stability is attributed to cautious banking policies, asymmetric tax treatment, and a low public risk appetite. The long-term implication suggests that despite gradual institutional shifts, significant barriers to crypto adoption remain in Denmark.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Business· World
OpenAI shifts focus to enterprise AI with new model amid competition from Anthropic
On April 15, 2026, OpenAI announced a strategic pivot towards business users by unveiling a new AI model codenamed Spud. This shift is driven by Anthropic's significant market share gains in the enterprise AI sector, prompting OpenAI to deprioritize consumer products to enhance profitability. Long-term, OpenAI aims to increase its business revenue from 20% to 50% by the end of 2026, positioning itself more competitively in the enterprise market.
4 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· MENA
State Bank of Pakistan Lifts 2018 Ban on Banking for Virtual Asset Service Providers
On April 14, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan authorized banking services for licensed virtual asset service providers, reversing a ban imposed in 2018. This regulatory shift is driven by the need to formalize the rapidly growing crypto market, which has seen significant underground adoption and economic pressures. The long-term implication is the potential establishment of Pakistan as a regional crypto hub, enhancing remittance efficiency for millions of expatriates and reducing reliance on informal channels.
6 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
World Liberty Financial Proposes 10% Burn of Insider WLFI Tokens to Address Governance Issues
World Liberty Financial has proposed a governance overhaul that includes a 10% burn of up to 4.5 billion insider WLFI tokens. This initiative is triggered by ongoing governance challenges, including low participation rates in previous proposals, and aims to enhance token supply predictability. If approved, this restructuring could lead to increased community engagement and a more aligned governance structure within the decentralized finance protocol.
8 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Approaches $74,500 as S&P 500 Hits Historic 7,000 Points
Bitcoin rebounded to nearly $74,500 on April 16, 2026, coinciding with the S&P 500 surpassing 7,000 points for the first time. This surge is driven by resilient U.S. labor data and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The long-term implication suggests a potential correlation between Bitcoin and U.S. equity markets, indicating a shift in investor sentiment towards riskier assets despite regional uncertainties.
4 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
U.S. Senate Moves Closer to Passing CLARITY Act for Stablecoin Regulation
U.S. lawmakers are nearing a final agreement on the CLARITY Act's stablecoin provisions, resolving disputes over yield features that have stalled progress. The immediate trigger for this development is the White House's mediation to address tensions between banks and crypto firms ahead of the 2026 midterms. Long-term implications include a clearer regulatory framework for stablecoins, potentially increasing institutional adoption of digital assets in the U.S. market.
4 sourcesApr 18High
- Crypto· World
Adam Back Challenges BIP-361 Proposal at Paris Blockchain Week
Blockstream CEO Adam Back publicly opposed the BIP-361 proposal aimed at freezing Bitcoin in quantum-vulnerable addresses during his speech at Paris Blockchain Week. This debate has been triggered by concerns over the potential theft of approximately 1.7 million BTC due to advancements in quantum computing, prompting a split in the Bitcoin community. The long-term implication may lead to a reevaluation of Bitcoin's upgrade strategies and the balance between security and decentralization in the face of emerging technologies.
7 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· MENA
Ripple and Kyobo Life Insurance Initiate Pilot for Tokenized Government Bond Settlement in South Korea
Ripple and Kyobo Life Insurance have launched a pilot program for the tokenized settlement of Korean government bonds, aiming to reduce the settlement cycle to near real-time. This initiative is driven by South Korea's ongoing development of a legal framework for tokenized securities and Ripple's expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The long-term implication could see a significant modernization of South Korea's financial markets, enhancing efficiency and reducing counterparty risks in bond transactions.
5 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin funding rates hit record negative levels amid price surge
Bitcoin perpetual futures funding rates reached their most negative levels since 2023, with a seven-day moving average of -0.005% as of April 16, 2026. This shift is driven by a significant accumulation of short positions across major exchanges, despite Bitcoin's price rising from the mid-$60,000s to approximately $75,000. Analysts anticipate that these negative funding rates could signal a potential short squeeze and price recovery in the long term.
3 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Rakuten Pay Launches XRP Integration for 44 Million Users in Japan
Rakuten Pay has integrated XRP into its payment app, allowing 44 million users to convert loyalty points into XRP and transact at over 5 million merchants. This move is driven by Japan's supportive regulatory environment for digital assets and Rakuten's aim to enhance its cryptocurrency services. The long-term implication is a potential increase in XRP's adoption and value as a mainstream payment method in Japan and beyond.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Price Target Rises to $125,000 Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Optimism
Bitcoin bulls have set a price target of $125,000 within the next 30-60 days, buoyed by positive sentiment from ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks. This surge in optimism follows a recent ceasefire announcement between Israel and Lebanon and unverified claims of Iranian nuclear concessions by U.S. President Donald Trump. If the ceasefire holds, the cryptocurrency market may see significant upward momentum, potentially leading to a short squeeze and further price increases.
6 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Morgan Stanley Launches First Spot Bitcoin ETF by Major U.S. Bank at NYSE
On April 16, 2026, the New York Stock Exchange hosted a closing bell ceremony for the launch of MSBT, the first spot Bitcoin ETF issued by a major U.S. bank. This event follows the SEC's approval of spot Bitcoin products in January 2024, prompting banks to expand their offerings in digital assets. The successful launch, achieving over $100 million in assets within the first week, signals a significant shift towards institutional acceptance of Bitcoin in traditional investment portfolios.
3 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Grinex Cryptocurrency Exchange Loses $15 Million in Cyberheist Blamed on Western Special Services
On April 16, 2026, Grinex, a Kyrgyzstan-registered cryptocurrency exchange, reported a cyberheist that resulted in the theft of approximately $15 million in USDT from over 70 wallets. The immediate cause of this incident is attributed to a coordinated attack by alleged Western special services, aimed at destabilizing Russia's financial operations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. In the long term, this incident may lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly those linked to sanctioned entities and operating in high-risk regions.
8 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Flow Capital Partners to Tokenize $150 Million Private Credit Fund on DigiFT Platform
Flow Capital Partners has announced plans to tokenize its $150 million private credit fund using the DigiFT blockchain platform. This initiative is driven by the growing trend of real-world asset tokenization and aims to raise an additional $30 million by the end of 2026. The long-term implication is a potential shift in how private credit investments are accessed and managed, enhancing investor distribution and liquidity options in the market.
3 sourcesApr 18Low
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Price Surges Near $2,400 Amid Record U.S. ETF Inflows
Ethereum's price reached an intraday high of $2,375, approaching the $2,400 resistance level as U.S. spot ETFs recorded nearly $300 million in net inflows over six days. This surge is driven by strong institutional demand, particularly from BlackRock's ETHA ETF, and improved macroeconomic sentiment following easing U.S.-Iran tensions. The long-term implication suggests a potential breakout above $2,400, which could further solidify Ethereum's recovery from previous market downturns.
4 sourcesApr 18Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bitcoin Faces $450 Million Sell Wall Below $76,000 Resistance Level
Bitcoin has stalled below the $76,000 resistance level due to a significant sell wall of $450 million in orders. This situation arises as traders are divided, with shorts defending the level while longs attempt to push for a breakout amid rising derivatives activity. The long-term implication suggests that sustained pressure could lead to increased volatility and potential regulatory scrutiny in the cryptocurrency market.
3 sourcesApr 18Low