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
8690 stories- Economy· UAE
UAE Launches Individual Sukuk Initiative to Enhance Savings and Financial Inclusion
On April 13, 2026, the United Arab Emirates entrenched an advanced model for individual savings through the Ministry of Finance's Individual Sukuk Initiative and complementary banking products. This initiative, which allows citizens and residents to invest in government Islamic treasury sukuk, is a response to the growing need for financial inclusion and economic stability amid robust deposit growth. Long-term, this initiative is expected to strengthen the UAE's financial sector and attract further investments in sharia-compliant financial products.
3 sourcesApr 14Low
- Business· UAE
Bernstein Initiates Coverage of MENA Energy Sector Highlighting ADNOC Gas and Fertiglobe
On April 12, 2026, Bernstein initiated coverage of the MENA energy sector, designating ADNOC Gas and Fertiglobe as top investment picks. This move is driven by the UAE's sovereign-led energy model, which emphasizes predictable cashflows and resilience amid geopolitical tensions. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for UAE energy companies in global markets, potentially attracting further international investment.
4 sourcesApr 14Low
- Business· UAE
UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Launches Microgrid Project for Federal Buildings
On April 13, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced the launch of an innovative microgrid project targeting federal government buildings. This initiative follows a successful pilot in 2025 at the ministry's headquarters in Sharjah, aimed at enhancing energy security and sustainability. The long-term implication is a nationwide scaling of renewable energy infrastructure that aligns with the UAE's 'We the UAE 2031' vision and Energy Strategy 2050.
4 sourcesApr 14Low
- Business· MENA
Lenovo Opens Regional Headquarters in Riyadh to Support Saudi Vision 2030
Lenovo inaugurated its regional headquarters for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa in Riyadh on April 12, 2026. This strategic move aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at attracting global corporations to establish regional hubs in the Kingdom. The establishment of this headquarters is expected to enhance local talent development and solidify Riyadh's position as a leading tech hub in the region.
3 sourcesApr 14Low
- Business· UAE
DWTC Free Zone partners with Wio Bank to enhance digital business banking services
On April 13, 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wio Bank PJSC to streamline digital banking for businesses. This partnership is driven by the need to improve the efficiency of banking processes for over 2,000 companies operating in the free zone amid a competitive business environment. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for Dubai as a global hub for entrepreneurship, facilitating easier access to financial services for startups and established businesses alike.
3 sourcesApr 14Low
- Economy· UAE
Central Bank of the UAE Partners with Vermeg to Launch Central Securities Depository
On April 13, 2026, the Central Bank of the UAE appointed Vermeg as the lead technology partner to develop a Central Securities Depository for national debt and Sukuk markets. This initiative is driven by the UAE's goal to enhance post-trade efficiency and liquidity management in its financial markets amid a projected growth in the debt capital market. The long-term implication is a strengthened financial infrastructure that positions the UAE as a competitive hub for Islamic finance and digital assets.
5 sourcesApr 14Low
- Economy· UAE
Gold Prices Drop Amid Stronger Dollar and Fed Rate Cut Expectations Diminish
On April 13, 2026, spot gold prices fell by 0.4% to approximately $4,719 per ounce, the lowest since early April. This decline is attributed to a stronger U.S. dollar and reduced expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts due to rising inflation pressures from elevated oil prices linked to U.S.-Iran tensions. In the long term, this trend may lead to continued volatility in gold prices as geopolitical factors and monetary policy decisions influence market dynamics.
5 sourcesApr 14Low
- Economy· World
Brent Crude Oil Prices Rise Following U.S. Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports
Brent crude oil futures surged 4.4 percent to $99.36 per barrel after the U.S. initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation was triggered by the collapse of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, leading to Iranian threats against Gulf ports. The long-term implication could be a significant disruption in global oil supplies, potentially driving prices even higher if tensions escalate further.
4 sourcesApr 14Very High
- Economy· UAE
Emirates Development Bank Initiates AED 20 Million Daily Financing to Support UAE Businesses
On April 14, 2026, Emirates Development Bank announced a daily financing initiative of AED 20 million aimed at sustaining business operations across the UAE. This move is triggered by ongoing global supply chain pressures and market fluctuations that necessitate urgent liquidity support for key sectors. In the long term, this initiative is likely to enhance the resilience of the UAE's economy and stabilize domestic supply chains amid external challenges.
3 sourcesApr 14Low
- Economy· UAE
UAE and Uzbekistan Strengthen Economic Ties in Dubai Meeting
On April 14, 2026, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marry met with a high-level Uzbek delegation in Dubai to enhance bilateral economic cooperation. This meeting is driven by the growing number of Uzbek companies in the UAE and a significant increase in tourism, reflecting a mutual commitment to economic integration. The long-term implication includes the establishment of joint ventures and initiatives like Investopia Tashkent, aimed at tapping into Asian market opportunities.
3 sourcesApr 14Low
- Crypto· World
Senator Lummis Calls for Urgent Passage of CLARITY Act Before 2030 Deadline
U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has declared the current legislative session as the last opportunity to pass the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act before 2030. This urgency is driven by potential midterm election disruptions and ongoing regulatory uncertainties that threaten the future of cryptocurrency legislation. If the bill fails to pass, it could lead to significant delays in establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets, impacting innovation and market stability in the U.S. crypto landscape.
3 sourcesApr 14High
- Crypto· World
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Supports CLARITY Act Following Treasury Secretary's Urgent Call
On April 10, 2026, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly endorsed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, responding to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's call for swift Senate action to provide regulatory clarity for digital assets. This endorsement comes after Coinbase's earlier withdrawal of support in January 2026, now reversed due to bipartisan improvements in the bill. The long-term implication is a potential reshoring of crypto innovation to the U.S., intensifying competition with established hubs like Abu Dhabi and Singapore.
3 sourcesApr 14Moderate
- Crypto· World
Ether Machine and Dynamix Corporation Terminate SPAC Merger Due to Market Conditions
Ether Machine and Dynamix Corporation have mutually terminated their $1.6 billion SPAC merger agreement as of April 8, 2026. This decision was triggered by unfavorable market conditions and a significant decline in Ethereum prices since 2025. The long-term implication is a potential cooling of investor enthusiasm for crypto SPACs, as Dynamix seeks a new merger target by November 2026 amidst a challenging market landscape.
4 sourcesApr 14Low
- Crypto· World
Hyperbridge Protocol Exploit Leads to Unauthorized Minting of 1 Billion DOT Tokens
On April 13, 2026, the Hyperbridge cross-chain bridge protocol was exploited, allowing an attacker to mint 1 billion unauthorized bridged DOT tokens on Ethereum. This incident was triggered by a vulnerability in the protocol that enabled forged messages to bypass validation, resulting in significant price volatility for DOT tokens. The long-term implication is a heightened scrutiny on cross-chain bridge security and potential regulatory responses to prevent similar exploits in the future.
4 sourcesApr 14High
- Crypto· World
Increased Bullish Sentiment for Hyperliquid Driven by Whale Accumulations and ETF Developments
Bullish sentiment around Hyperliquid and its HYPE token surged following significant whale purchases and advancements in U.S. ETF applications. This momentum is fueled by notable acquisitions from crypto whales, including BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, and the potential for institutional investment through amended ETF filings. The long-term outlook suggests a bridging of decentralized finance with traditional finance, potentially leading to increased market stability and growth in the crypto sector.
6 sourcesApr 14Moderate
- Crypto· World
Musician G. Love Loses 5.92 BTC to Fraudulent Ledger Live App on Mac App Store
On April 11, 2026, musician G. Love lost 5.92 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $424,000, after downloading a fake Ledger Live application from the Apple Mac App Store. This incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in app store verification processes and the increasing prevalence of seed phrase phishing scams targeting cryptocurrency users. The long-term implication may lead to heightened scrutiny and potential regulatory changes regarding app store security and cryptocurrency fraud prevention measures.
4 sourcesApr 14Moderate
- Crypto· World
American Bankers Association Raises Concerns Over White House Study on Stablecoin Risks
On April 13, 2026, the American Bankers Association challenged a White House Council of Economic Advisers study for underestimating the risks of yield-bearing stablecoins to bank deposit stability and lending. This critique arises as U.S. legislative efforts on stablecoin regulation are ongoing, with banks fearing significant deposit outflows as stablecoins could scale to $1-2 trillion. The long-term implication suggests a potential shift in regulatory focus towards stricter yield prohibitions to safeguard traditional banking systems from the rise of stablecoins.
3 sourcesApr 14High
- Crypto· World
Aave DAO Approves $25 Million Grant and 75,000 AAVE Tokens to Aave Labs
On April 13, 2026, the Aave decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) approved a $25 million stablecoin grant and 75,000 AAVE tokens to Aave Labs. This decision was triggered by a successful governance vote that achieved approximately 75% support, marking the first implementation of the 'Aave Will Win' framework. The long-term implication is a potential restructuring of revenue flows to enhance the competitiveness of Aave's ecosystem and ensure sustainable funding for future developments.
4 sourcesApr 14Moderate
- Crypto· World
Circle CEO Defends USDC Freeze Policy Amid Criticism Following Major DeFi Exploit
On April 13, 2026, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire defended the company's policy of freezing USDC only upon formal legal orders from courts or law enforcement, as criticism intensified following the April 1, 2026, Drift Protocol exploit resulting in approximately $285 million in losses, including $230 million in USDC. This backlash was triggered by a sophisticated attack attributed to North Korean actors, which highlighted compliance lapses in Circle's response to previous incidents. The long-term implication suggests a growing demand for clearer regulatory frameworks governing stablecoin operations and compliance protocols in the DeFi space.
3 sourcesApr 14Moderate
- Economy· World
European Central Bank Advocates Tokenization to Enhance Digital Capital Markets in Europe
On April 13, 2026, the European Central Bank published a Macroprudential Bulletin promoting tokenization through distributed ledger technology as a means to create a unified digital capital market across Europe. This initiative is driven by the need to address fragmentation in financial infrastructure and enhance liquidity, coinciding with the ECB's ongoing projects like Pontes and Appia. The long-term implication is a potential transformation of the European financial landscape, enabling more efficient asset management and regulatory harmonization.
4 sourcesApr 14Low