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
8714 stories- Business· MENA
Whoop Raises $575 Million in Series G Funding to Accelerate Global Expansion
Whoop has secured $575 million in a Series G funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $10.1 billion. This funding, led by Collaborative Fund and supported by notable investors including Qatar Investment Authority and Mubadala, is aimed at enhancing platform capabilities and expanding into new markets. The long-term implication includes a strategic push towards an initial public offering while addressing competitive pressures in the wearable health sector.
3 sourcesApr 3Low
- Business· MENA
SpaceX Files for Confidential IPO Aiming for $1.75 Trillion Valuation
SpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. SEC, targeting a valuation exceeding $1.75 trillion. This move follows the company's recent merger with xAI and comes amid a resurgence in tech IPOs, with investor briefings scheduled for April 2026. If successful, this IPO could reshape the landscape of space and technology investments, attracting significant interest from global investors, particularly in the UAE and GCC regions.
3 sourcesApr 3High
- Economy· World
Gold Prices Drop 2% Following Trump's Escalation Signals Against Iran
Gold prices fell approximately 2% on April 2, 2026, ending a multi-day rally as traders reacted to President Trump's announcement of intensified military actions against Iran. The immediate trigger for this decline was the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, which shifted market sentiment away from gold as a safe haven. In the long term, ongoing geopolitical tensions and military engagements are likely to create volatility in commodity markets, particularly affecting gold and oil prices.
3 sourcesApr 3Low
- Business· World
Tesla Q1 2026 vehicle deliveries rise 6.3% but fall short of expectations
Tesla Inc. reported 358,023 global vehicle deliveries for Q1 2026, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year but below analyst expectations. This shortfall is attributed to production challenges and a competitive electric vehicle market, exacerbated by subsidy expirations. The long-term implication suggests Tesla may need to adjust its production strategies and pricing to maintain market share amid increasing competition and changing consumer demand.
3 sourcesApr 3High
- Business· World
SpaceX files for IPO targeting $1.75 trillion valuation
SpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the SEC, aiming for a valuation of $1.75 trillion. This filing comes after the company's recent acquisition of xAI and is facilitated by Nasdaq's updated index inclusion rules. The IPO is expected to provide significant liquidity for early investors and fund further expansion in satellite internet and AI initiatives.
5 sourcesApr 3Very High
- Economy· MENA
Crude Oil Prices Surge to Highest Levels Since 2008 Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Oil cargo prices for immediate delivery have surged to their highest levels since 2008 as of April 3, 2026, driven by fears of an escalating US-Israel-Iran war and maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The immediate trigger for this price increase is the ongoing geopolitical tensions and attacks on tankers, which threaten approximately 20% of global oil trade. In the long term, this situation is likely to lead to sustained volatility in oil markets and increased costs for consumers and businesses reliant on oil imports.
3 sourcesApr 3High
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Surge Over 11% Following Trump's Speech on Iran Conflict
Oil prices surged over 11% on April 1, 2026, after President Trump announced continued military strikes against Iran despite claiming the conflict was nearing completion. The immediate trigger was investor disappointment over the lack of de-escalation in the U.S.-Iran war, which has already disrupted oil supply routes. Long-term implications include potential sustained volatility in global oil markets and economic repercussions for countries reliant on oil imports.
5 sourcesApr 3High
- Business· World
Amazon Implements 3.5% Surcharge on Fulfillment Fees for US and Canada Sellers
Amazon has announced a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on Fulfillment by Amazon fees for third-party sellers in the US and Canada, effective April 17, 2026. This decision is a direct response to rising fuel costs due to the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, which has significantly increased gasoline and diesel prices. The long-term implication may include shifts in seller strategies and potential adjustments in Amazon's pricing structure as the market reacts to these elevated costs.
6 sourcesApr 3Moderate
- Economy· World
U.S. Gasoline Prices Exceed $4 per Gallon Due to Iran Conflict
On March 31, 2026, the average U.S. gasoline price surpassed $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022. This spike is attributed to disruptions in global oil supplies caused by the ongoing war in Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, following U.S.-Israeli military actions. The long-term implication is a potential reevaluation of U.S. energy policies and increased market volatility as the conflict continues to impact oil prices and consumer costs.
6 sourcesApr 3High
- Business· World
FDA Approves Eli Lilly's Foundayo as New Oral Treatment for Obesity
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Eli Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron) as a new oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management. This approval comes in response to the growing demand for effective obesity treatments and follows successful clinical trials demonstrating significant weight loss. The introduction of Foundayo is expected to intensify competition in the obesity treatment market, particularly against injectable alternatives like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy.
4 sourcesApr 3High
- Economy· World
U.S. Mortgage Rates Hit 6.46% Amid Ongoing Iran Conflict
U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rates have risen to 6.46% for the fifth consecutive week as of April 2, 2026. This increase is driven by the ongoing war with Iran, which has disrupted oil markets and heightened inflation fears. The long-term implication is a continued strain on housing affordability and a potential slowdown in the housing market recovery as inflation persists.
3 sourcesApr 3Moderate
- Business· World
Blue Owl Capital Reports $5.4 Billion Redemption Requests from Private Credit Funds
On April 2, 2026, Blue Owl Capital disclosed unprecedented investor redemption requests totaling $5.4 billion from two major private credit funds amid eroding confidence in the sector. The immediate trigger for this crisis is attributed to artificial intelligence disruptions affecting software company loans and broader market strains. Long-term implications may include increased regulatory scrutiny and potential shifts in investment strategies within the private credit industry.
8 sourcesApr 3High
- Economy· MENA
Saudi Arabia Achieves Record 48.4 Billion SAR in Foreign Direct Investment for Q4 2025
Saudi Arabia reported net foreign direct investment inflows of 48.4 billion SAR in Q4 2025, marking a 90 percent increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to a favorable investment climate driven by economic diversification initiatives under Vision 2030. The long-term implication suggests continued growth in foreign investments, enhancing Saudi Arabia's position as a regional economic hub.
3 sourcesApr 2Low
- Economy· MENA
Saudi Arabia's Service Exports Surge to 66.1 Billion SAR in Q4 2025
Saudi Arabia's service exports reached 66.1 billion SAR in Q4 2025, marking a 16.8% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to a rise in travel services, driven by seasonal demand and ongoing infrastructure investments under Vision 2030. The long-term implication suggests a continued shift towards economic diversification and reduced reliance on oil revenues.
3 sourcesApr 2Low
- Economy· World
Spot Gold Price Hits $4,723.21 Amid U.S.-Iran De-escalation Hopes
On April 1, 2026, the spot price of gold surged to an intraday high of $4,723.21 per ounce, marking a significant rebound from previous declines. This increase was triggered by President Donald Trump's announcement that the U.S.-Iran war could potentially conclude within two to three weeks, leading to a weakening of the U.S. dollar. In the long term, this shift may restore gold's status as a safe-haven asset, influencing investment strategies and market dynamics in the commodities sector.
3 sourcesApr 2Low
- Crypto· World
U.S. DOJ Indicts Foreign Nationals for Cryptocurrency Market Manipulation
On March 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced indictments against ten foreign nationals linked to cryptocurrency market-making firms for engaging in pump-and-dump schemes. This action follows an undercover operation initiated by the FBI and IRS in 2024, revealing extensive wash trading practices aimed at defrauding investors. The long-term implication is a likely increase in regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions against cryptocurrency market manipulation, particularly affecting firms operating in regions like Dubai.
3 sourcesApr 2High
- Crypto· World
Australia Enacts Comprehensive Regulation for Digital Asset Platforms
On 1 April 2026, the Australian Parliament passed the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, establishing a regulatory framework for digital asset platforms. This legislation was triggered by the need to address regulatory gaps exposed by global crypto failures and aims to enhance consumer protections. The long-term implication is that Australia positions itself competitively in the global digital asset market, potentially attracting institutional investment while smaller platforms may face challenges during the compliance transition period.
4 sourcesApr 2Moderate
- Business· World
OpenAI Secures $122 Billion in Historic Funding Round Valuing Company at $852 Billion
OpenAI has successfully closed a $122 billion funding round, surpassing its initial target of $110 billion. This unprecedented investment is driven by a surge in AI demand and competition for resources, with major players like Amazon and Nvidia participating. The funding positions OpenAI for potential public market entry and further solidifies its leadership in the AI sector.
6 sourcesApr 2Very High
- Crypto· World
EDX Markets Files for National Trust Bank Charter to Expand Crypto Services
On March 26, 2026, EDX Markets submitted an application for a national trust bank charter to enhance its institutional crypto custody and trading services. This move is prompted by a favorable regulatory environment in the U.S., following recent approvals for similar applications by the OCC. Long-term, this could signify a shift towards increased institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and a more structured financial ecosystem for digital assets.
4 sourcesApr 2Low
- Business· World
Oracle Corporation announces mass layoffs affecting thousands amid AI infrastructure investments
Oracle Corporation has initiated layoffs impacting up to 30,000 employees as part of a restructuring effort to manage costs associated with significant investments in AI infrastructure. This decision comes in response to a reported cash crunch due to escalating AI-related obligations exceeding $450 billion. The long-term implication suggests a shift in workforce dynamics within the tech industry as companies prioritize AI efficiencies over traditional roles.
3 sourcesApr 2Low