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- Economy· UAE
UAE Nafis Program Expands Salary Support to Include Sons and Wives of Emirati Citizens
On April 17, 2026, the Emirates Competitiveness Council announced an expansion of the Nafis program to provide salary support to sons of Emirati women and wives of Emirati men in the private sector. This initiative is triggered by the UAE's focus on family stability and economic participation, aligning with the Year of the Family 2026 and National Family Growth Agenda 2031. The long-term implication is a strengthened Emirati workforce in the private sector, enhancing social cohesion and economic sustainability without diminishing existing citizen benefits.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Economy· UAE
UAE Ministry of Human Resources Affirms Job Stability Amid Regional Tensions
On April 17, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced that regional developments have no impact on private sector job stability. This reassurance comes as the UAE showcases its resilient labor market, supported by effective policies and a robust Wage Protection System. Long-term, this stability is expected to bolster investor confidence and maintain operational continuity in the private sector despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Economy· MENA
Saudi Economic Council Reviews Vision 2030 Progress Amid Global Challenges
The Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs convened a video conference meeting to assess the nation's economic resilience and progress on Vision 2030. This meeting was triggered by ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global supply chains and the need for strategic oversight of national policies. Long-term, the council's decisions are expected to bolster Saudi Arabia's economic diversification and stability within the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Business· UAE
UAE and China's Jereh Group Sign MoU for Clean Energy and Manufacturing Collaboration
On April 17, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Investment signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China's Jereh Group to develop an integrated platform for clean energy and advanced manufacturing. This agreement is driven by the UAE's commitment to enhance its energy strategy and strengthen economic ties with China amid growing bilateral trade. The long-term implication is the establishment of the UAE as a regional hub for next-generation energy technologies, fostering job creation and foreign investment in clean energy sectors.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Business· UAE
Dubai Ports Authority Achieves 24/7 Operational Readiness for Maritime Services
Dubai Ports Authority confirmed its continuous operational readiness to provide maritime services around the clock as of April 17, 2026. This announcement is driven by the need to ensure supply chain continuity and reinforce Dubai's status as a global logistics hub amid increasing maritime demands. The long-term implication is the stabilization of trade flows and job security within Dubai's logistics and maritime sectors, contributing to economic resilience.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Economy· World
IEA Reports Oil Prices Understate Impact of Iran War Supply Crisis
On April 14, 2026, the International Energy Agency announced that current oil prices do not accurately reflect the severity of supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran war. This warning follows a drastic revision of the 2026 global oil demand growth forecast to a contraction of 80,000 barrels per day due to unprecedented supply shocks from attacks on energy facilities. The long-term implication suggests that oil prices may continue to rise as market realities align with futures pricing amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
3 sourcesApr 17High
- Business· World
Spektr Raises $20 Million Series A Funding to Enhance Financial Compliance Automation
Spektr, an AI startup based in Copenhagen, has secured $20 million in Series A funding to expand its compliance automation platform. The funding round, led by New Enterprise Associates, comes amid increasing regulatory pressures for financial institutions to streamline compliance processes. This investment is expected to accelerate Spektr's growth and adoption in the global financial services market.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Business· World
OpenAI Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Hiro Finance
On April 13, 2026, OpenAI acquired Hiro Finance, an AI-powered personal finance planning startup, marking its second acquisition in two weeks. This strategic move is driven by OpenAI's need to enhance its capabilities in financial AI and media amid rising competition in the sector. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for OpenAI in the AI landscape, particularly in financial modeling and consumer-facing applications.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Business· World
FluidStack Negotiates $1 Billion Funding Round at $18 Billion Valuation
FluidStack has entered negotiations to raise approximately $1 billion at an $18 billion valuation as of April 14, 2026. This funding effort is driven by a surge in demand for specialized AI infrastructure, following significant revenue growth and partnerships. The long-term implication suggests FluidStack is positioning itself as a key player in the AI data center market, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in the industry.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Business· World
Apple Reports 30% Recycled Material in 2025 Shipments and Completes Plastic-Free Packaging Transition
On April 16, 2026, Apple Inc. announced that 30 percent of materials in its 2025 product shipments were sourced from recycled materials, alongside the completion of its transition to 100 percent fiber-based packaging. This achievement is driven by Apple's commitment to its 2030 carbon neutrality goal and reflects ongoing supply chain innovations. The long-term implication is a potential shift in industry standards towards sustainable manufacturing practices as companies respond to increasing environmental regulations and consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Business· World
Slash Raises $100 Million in Series C Funding at $1.4 Billion Valuation
On April 16, 2026, Slash, a fintech startup, secured $100 million in Series C funding, achieving a valuation of $1.4 billion. This funding round was triggered by the company's profitable operations and impressive annualized revenue of $300 million, attracting significant investment from notable venture capital firms. The long-term implication suggests that Slash may strengthen its competitive position against established players in the corporate banking sector, potentially leading to further market consolidation and innovation in fintech services.
4 sourcesApr 17High
- Business· World
Upscale AI in Talks for $200 Million Funding Round at $2 Billion Valuation
Upscale AI has initiated discussions to raise between $180 million and $200 million in its third funding round, aiming for a valuation of $2 billion. This move comes amid a surge in demand for scalable AI hardware infrastructure, following two previous successful funding rounds within seven months. The long-term implication suggests a growing trend of investment in AI networking solutions, potentially reshaping the landscape of AI infrastructure development.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange Faces Extortion Attempt After Insider Data Breaches
Kraken has disclosed an ongoing extortion attempt following two incidents of unauthorized access by malicious support staff to client data systems. The immediate trigger for this situation is the refusal to meet extortion demands after the company identified and revoked access from the involved insiders. In the long term, this incident may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the cryptocurrency industry regarding insider threats and data security protocols.
4 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Nikita Bier Proposes Initiative to Address Cryptocurrency Market Decline
On April 14, 2026, Nikita Bier, Head of Product at X, suggested launching a product to mitigate the ongoing downturn in the cryptocurrency market. This proposal comes as Bitcoin has experienced a 15% decline year-to-date, prompting speculation about potential integrations with X Money, X's upcoming payments service. If successful, this initiative could reshape the landscape of cryptocurrency transactions and bolster X's position in the financial services sector.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Tether Launches Self-Custodial Wallet to Enhance Financial Inclusion
Tether has launched its self-custodial tether.wallet, allowing users to manage Bitcoin, stablecoins, and gold tokens directly. This launch is driven by the need for accessible digital asset management amid a growing unbanked population and failures of centralized custody solutions. The long-term implication is a potential shift towards greater financial autonomy and inclusion for millions globally, particularly in regions with limited banking access.
5 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Blockaid Identifies CoW Swap Frontend as Malicious Following DNS Hijacking Incident
On April 14, 2026, Blockaid flagged the CoW Swap decentralized exchange frontend as malicious due to a DNS hijacking attack that redirected users to a phishing site. The attack was triggered by social engineering tactics employed against the domain registrar, allowing attackers to gain control of the domain. This incident underscores the ongoing vulnerabilities in decentralized finance platforms and may prompt increased scrutiny and security measures within the DeFi sector.
5 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Paxos Labs secures $12 million funding and launches Amplify platform for onchain finance
Paxos Labs has raised $12 million in funding and launched the Amplify platform, which integrates yield generation, crypto-backed borrowing, and stablecoin issuance. This development comes amid increasing demand for embedded digital asset services and regulatory clarity in the U.S. The long-term implication is the potential for Paxos to become a key player in the onchain finance sector, facilitating broader adoption of digital asset services across various platforms.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Foundation Initiates $1 Million Audit Subsidy Program for Mainnet Builders
On April 14, 2026, the Ethereum Foundation launched a $1 million audit subsidy program aimed at supporting Ethereum mainnet builders. This initiative is triggered by the need to enhance security practices amid rising vulnerabilities and costs associated with smart contract audits. In the long term, this program is expected to strengthen the Ethereum ecosystem by making security audits more accessible and promoting best practices among developers.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
Solana and XRP ETFs See Limited Inflows Amid Bitcoin and Ethereum Volatility
During the week of April 6–13, 2026, Solana and XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $11.69 million and $13.8 million, significantly lower than the fluctuating inflows of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. This trend is driven by investor preference for established cryptocurrencies amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting market stability. In the long term, this may lead to a continued focus on blue-chip assets over altcoins, impacting the growth potential of newer cryptocurrencies in the market.
3 sourcesApr 17Low
- Crypto· World
J. Christopher Giancarlo Leaves Law Practice to Focus on Fintech and Digital Assets Advisory
On April 13, 2026, former CFTC Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo announced his transition from senior counsel at Willkie Farr & Gallagher to full-time advisory roles in fintech and digital assets. This shift follows his extensive experience in the digital asset space and aligns with a growing trend of former regulators moving into private sector advisory roles. Giancarlo's move is likely to enhance the regulatory landscape for digital assets, particularly as he continues to support initiatives like the Digital Dollar Project.
3 sourcesApr 17Low