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 Secures $575 Million in Series G Funding at $10.1 Billion Valuation
Whoop has raised $575 million in a Series G funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $10.1 billion. This funding round, led by Collaborative Fund and supported by notable investors including Qatar Investment Authority and Mubadala, is aimed at facilitating global expansion and preparing for an IPO. The long-term implication is a significant push into international markets, particularly in the GCC, enhancing access to health technology and preventive health solutions.
3 sourcesApr 1High
- Business· World
Delta Air Lines and Amazon Leo to Launch Free High-Speed Wi-Fi on 500 Aircraft by 2028
Delta Air Lines has entered a multi-year agreement with Amazon's Leo satellite network to provide free high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi on 500 aircraft starting in 2028. This partnership is a strategic response to increasing competition in aviation connectivity, particularly following United Airlines' earlier integration of Starlink. The long-term implication is a potential shift in passenger expectations for in-flight services, as airlines may prioritize enhanced connectivity to attract and retain customers.
3 sourcesApr 1Moderate
- Business· World
ALSO achieves unicorn status with $200 million Series C funding and partnership with DoorDash
On March 31, 2026, ALSO announced its $200 million Series C funding round, achieving a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This funding was driven by the growing demand for micromobility solutions in urban areas and is complemented by a strategic partnership with DoorDash to develop autonomous delivery vehicles. The long-term implication is a significant expansion of last-mile delivery capabilities, potentially reshaping urban logistics and mobility solutions.
3 sourcesApr 1Moderate
- Business· World
Oracle Corporation Announces Layoffs in U.S. and India Amid AI Infrastructure Investments
Oracle Corporation has initiated significant layoffs affecting employees in the United States and India as of March 31, 2026. This decision is driven by cash flow pressures resulting from substantial investments in AI data center infrastructure, which have led to increased capital expenditures. The long-term implication suggests a strategic shift towards prioritizing AI capabilities, potentially reshaping workforce dynamics in the tech industry.
3 sourcesApr 1High
- Business· World
Microsoft, Chevron, and Engine No. 1 Sign Exclusivity Agreement for Texas Natural Gas Power Supply
Microsoft, Chevron, and Engine No. 1 have entered into an exclusivity agreement for the power supply linked to a proposed natural gas-fired power plant in West Texas. This agreement is driven by the urgent need to meet the electricity demands of a large data center campus supporting generative AI services. The long-term implication is a significant investment in energy infrastructure to support the growing AI sector, potentially influencing energy strategies across the tech industry.
3 sourcesApr 1Low
- Business· World
Eli Lilly to Acquire Centessa Pharmaceuticals for $6.3 Billion to Enhance Sleep Disorder Treatments
Eli Lilly has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Centessa Pharmaceuticals for $6.3 billion, focusing on expanding its pipeline for sleep-wake disorders. This acquisition is driven by the growing demand for innovative therapies in the sleep disorders market, particularly following positive trial results for Centessa's lead candidate. In the long term, this move is expected to position Eli Lilly as a key player in the lucrative narcolepsy treatment sector, potentially enhancing access to these therapies globally.
4 sourcesApr 1Moderate
- Business· World
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to Retire Amid Backlash Over English-Only Condolence Video
Michael Rousseau, CEO of Air Canada, announced his retirement effective by the end of Q3 2026 following criticism for a predominantly English condolence video after a fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport. The backlash was triggered by the perceived neglect of Canada's bilingual obligations, particularly in light of the Quebec roots of the deceased pilot. This incident may lead to a shift in leadership priorities at Air Canada, emphasizing the importance of bilingual communication in corporate governance.
3 sourcesApr 1High
- Economy· World
Brent Crude Oil Prices Surge Above $115 Amid Ongoing Iran War
On March 30, 2026, Brent crude oil prices exceeded $115 per barrel, marking a significant increase due to disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran War. The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, has led to Iranian attacks on oil production sites and heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, driving up prices sharply. If the hostilities continue, the global economy may face prolonged inflationary pressures and recession risks as energy costs rise and market volatility persists.
4 sourcesApr 1Moderate
- Business· World
McCormick and Unilever Foods Announce $65 Billion Merger to Create Global Flavor Leader
On March 31, 2026, McCormick & Company announced a combination with Unilever PLC's foods business unit to create a new entity valued at approximately $65 billion. This strategic move comes as Unilever seeks to divest its food operations, allowing McCormick to enhance its market position amid ongoing industry consolidation. The merger is expected to close by mid-2027, pending regulatory approvals, and will likely reshape the competitive landscape of the global flavor market.
5 sourcesApr 1Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Gasoline Prices Surpass $4 Amid Ongoing Iran War
On March 31, 2026, the national average price of gasoline in the United States reached $4.018 per gallon, marking the first exceedance of $4 since 2022. This surge is attributed to supply disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on oil tankers. The long-term implication is a potential escalation in geopolitical tensions and further inflationary pressures on the U.S. economy as energy costs rise.
9 sourcesApr 1Very High
- Business· MENA
Saudi East-West Pipeline Achieves Full Capacity Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruption
The Saudi East-West Pipeline has reached its full operational capacity of 7 million barrels per day as of March 28, 2026. This milestone comes in response to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has forced clients to reroute their oil exports. The long-term implication is a significant shift in global oil trade routes, enhancing Saudi Arabia's export capabilities while mitigating risks associated with geopolitical tensions in the region.
3 sourcesMar 31High
- Economy· MENA
G7 Ministers Commit to Stabilizing Global Energy Markets Amid Middle East Conflict
On March 30, 2026, G7 finance and energy ministers announced their readiness to implement coordinated measures to stabilize the global energy market in response to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran. This decision comes as the war has severely disrupted Gulf refining and gas production, with estimates indicating that 30-40% of refining capacity is offline. Long-term, this situation is likely to prompt increased international collaboration on energy security and economic stability, particularly in Europe, as the conflict continues to escalate.
4 sourcesMar 31Moderate
- 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 the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a 16.8% year-on-year growth. This growth is primarily driven by a significant increase in travel and transport services amid ongoing economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030. The long-term implication suggests that Saudi Arabia's expanding services sector may enhance its competitiveness in regional tourism, potentially impacting neighboring markets like the UAE.
3 sourcesMar 31Low
- Business· World
Rebellions Secures $400 Million in Pre-IPO Funding at $2.34 Billion Valuation
Rebellions, a South Korean AI chip company, completed a $400 million pre-IPO funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $2.34 billion. The funding, led by Mirae Asset Financial Group and the Korea National Growth Fund, is aimed at facilitating U.S. market expansion and product launches. This strategic move positions Rebellions for a successful IPO amidst increasing competition in the AI semiconductor sector.
3 sourcesMar 31Low
- Business· World
Uber to Acquire Blacklane to Enhance Luxury Mobility Services
Uber has announced its agreement to acquire Berlin-based chauffeur service Blacklane, marking a significant move into the executive and luxury travel market. This acquisition is driven by Uber's strategy to expand its offerings and leverage Blacklane's established network in over 500 cities globally. The long-term implication is a potential consolidation in the luxury mobility sector, enhancing Uber's competitive position against traditional chauffeur services and other ride-hailing competitors.
4 sourcesMar 31High
- Crypto· World
Survey Shows 51 Percent of U.S. Crypto Users Misunderstand Tax Obligations
A recent Coinbase and CoinTracker survey reveals that only 49 percent of U.S. cryptocurrency users correctly understand that taxes apply upon asset sales. This confusion is exacerbated by new IRS Form 1099-DA requirements, which report proceeds without cost basis, highlighting a critical gap in user knowledge just before the 2025 tax year reporting. The long-term implication may lead to increased demand for specialized tax compliance tools and software in the cryptocurrency sector as users seek to navigate complex regulations.
3 sourcesMar 31Moderate
- Crypto· World
Midas Secures $50 Million Series A to Enhance Liquidity in Tokenized Finance
Midas raised $50 million in a Series A funding round to launch its Midas Staked Liquidity (MSL) aimed at addressing liquidity challenges in tokenized finance. This funding round was triggered by persistent settlement delays in tokenized assets, which necessitated infrastructure for instant liquidity. The long-term implication is the potential for Midas to expand into new asset classes and further integrate with DeFi protocols, enhancing the utility of tokenized assets in the financial ecosystem.
3 sourcesMar 31Moderate
- Crypto· World
Ethereum Foundation Completes Largest ETH Staking Deployment of 22,517 ETH
The Ethereum Foundation staked 22,517 ETH, valued at $46.2 million, on March 30, 2026, marking the largest single deployment recorded to date. This strategic move aims to generate staking yields for research and ecosystem grants, addressing prior criticisms over ETH sales that negatively impacted prices. In the long term, this initiative is likely to bolster Ethereum's market confidence and further institutional interest in staking.
4 sourcesMar 31Low
- Crypto· World
American Bitcoin Corp reaches 7,000 BTC milestone amid strategic treasury expansion
On March 30, 2026, American Bitcoin Corp announced its Bitcoin reserves surpassed 7,000 BTC, marking a tripling of holdings since its Nasdaq debut. This surge is driven by the company's strategy to retain mined Bitcoin for long-term growth rather than converting to fiat, aligning with a favorable political climate for cryptocurrency. The long-term implication suggests a potential shift in corporate treasury strategies as more firms may adopt similar Bitcoin retention models to enhance their asset portfolios.
3 sourcesMar 31Moderate
- Crypto· World
Bernstein Identifies Crypto Stocks at Cyclical Bottom Following 60% Decline
Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani announced that crypto-linked equities are nearing a cyclical bottom after experiencing a 60% drawdown from their 2025 peaks. This assessment comes amid macroeconomic uncertainty and escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly between Iran and Israel, which have dampened cryptocurrency sentiment. The long-term outlook suggests potential recovery in the second half of 2026 as growth drivers in stablecoins and tokenization remain intact.
3 sourcesMar 31Moderate