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- Economy· MENA
Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority Reserve Assets Exceed 1.7 Trillion Riyals by 2025
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) has reported that its reserve assets surpassed 1.7 trillion riyals by the end of 2025, reflecting a 5.3% annual growth. This increase is attributed to sustained economic resilience and strategic investments in foreign securities amid global economic pressures. The long-term implication suggests enhanced financial stability for Saudi Arabia, potentially bolstering its regional economic influence and trade relationships.
3 sourcesMar 28Low
- Business· World
Meta Platforms Lays Off 700 Employees While Launching Executive Stock Incentive Program
Meta Platforms Inc. has laid off approximately 700 employees across various divisions as part of a restructuring effort. This decision follows the announcement of a new stock incentive program for top executives, which could significantly increase their compensation. The long-term implication suggests a strategic shift towards prioritizing artificial intelligence investments amid increasing competition in the tech industry.
4 sourcesMar 28Low
- Crypto· World
Tether Engages KPMG for First Comprehensive Audit of USDT Reserves
Tether has appointed KPMG to conduct its inaugural full financial audit of USDT reserves, marking a significant step towards enhanced transparency. This decision comes in response to regulatory pressures from the U.S. GENIUS Act, which mandates audits for stablecoin issuers with liabilities exceeding $50 billion. The long-term implication is likely a strengthened position for Tether in the U.S. market, potentially increasing trust and adoption of its stablecoin offerings.
3 sourcesMar 28Moderate
- Crypto· World
Intercontinental Exchange Invests $600 Million in Polymarket to Enhance Prediction Market Infrastructure
Intercontinental Exchange has completed a $600 million direct cash investment in Polymarket, fulfilling part of a larger $2 billion strategic commitment. This investment is driven by the growing interest in decentralized prediction markets and ICE's goal to integrate blockchain technologies into traditional finance. The long-term implication is a potential shift in how financial markets operate, blending institutional credibility with decentralized innovations in trading and data distribution.
4 sourcesMar 28Moderate
- Crypto· World
Federal Court of Australia Fines Binance Australia Derivatives A$10 Million for Client Misclassification
The Federal Court of Australia has imposed a A$10 million penalty on Binance Australia Derivatives for misclassifying 524 retail clients as wholesale clients, exposing them to high-risk products without necessary protections. This ruling follows a targeted review by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) that identified systemic compliance failures leading to significant client losses. The long-term implication is a heightened regulatory scrutiny on cryptocurrency platforms, prompting a call for improved onboarding processes across the industry.
3 sourcesMar 28Low
- Business· World
SpaceX Plans 30% Retail Investor Allocation in Upcoming IPO Amid Corporate Restructuring
Elon Musk has announced a plan to allocate up to 30% of SpaceX's initial public offering shares to retail investors, significantly higher than the typical allocation. This move is aimed at leveraging Musk's supporter base for share stability and comes as the company undergoes staff reductions at X Corp. The long-term implication may be a shift in how IPOs are structured, potentially increasing retail investor participation in high-profile tech offerings.
3 sourcesMar 28High
- Business· World
Fannie Mae Launches Crypto-Backed Mortgages for Down Payments
Fannie Mae has begun accepting mortgages with down payments funded by loans collateralized by Bitcoin and USDC. This initiative is driven by directives from the Federal Housing Finance Agency to integrate cryptocurrency into mortgage underwriting, addressing homeownership barriers for younger generations. The long-term implication may lead to broader adoption of cryptocurrency in the U.S. housing market, potentially transforming mortgage financing and accessibility.
3 sourcesMar 28Moderate
- Business· World
Sony Honda Mobility Cancels Afeela 1 Electric Vehicle Project Before California Launch
Sony Honda Mobility has announced the discontinuation of the Afeela 1 luxury electric vehicle project, which was set to debut in California later this year. This decision follows Honda's significant $15.7 billion writedown and a strategic reassessment of its electric vehicle plans amid declining global demand and increased competition. The cancellation reflects broader challenges in the EV market, potentially leading to further consolidation and reevaluation of electric vehicle strategies among automakers.
4 sourcesMar 28Moderate
- Business· World
U.S. Judge Dismisses X Corp.'s Antitrust Lawsuit Against Advertisers
U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle dismissed X Corp.'s antitrust lawsuit against the World Federation of Advertisers and major brands, ruling that X failed to prove antitrust injury. This dismissal comes amid ongoing revenue declines for X Corp. following its acquisition by Elon Musk, which has led to significant advertiser pullback. The ruling may prompt X Corp. to refocus on improving advertiser relationships and platform content to recover lost revenue streams.
4 sourcesMar 28Low
- Business· World
NS&I Faces Operational Failure in Bereavement Claims Tracing
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has revealed an operational failure affecting up to 37,500 estates with £476 million in untraced deposits due to inadequate searches for deceased customers' accounts from 2008 to 2025. The issue was disclosed by Pensions Minister Torsten Bell in Parliament, triggered by a review of 34 million records and compounded by challenges from a troubled IT modernization program. Moving forward, NS&I has committed to a remediation plan, including hiring additional staff and implementing new tracing tools to reunite beneficiaries with their funds by May 2026.
3 sourcesMar 28Low
- Economy· World
2026 Iran War Disrupts Global Oil Supply and Economic Stability
The ongoing 2026 Iran War has halted oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, significantly impacting global oil markets and pushing Brent crude prices above $110 per barrel. This disruption is driven by Iran's retaliatory actions following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, which have led to a depletion of strategic reserves and heightened inflation risks. As the conflict continues, economies are transitioning from buffered resilience to increased fragility, prompting urgent calls for inflation vigilance and potential shifts in energy policy worldwide.
3 sourcesMar 28Very High
- Business· World
Physical Intelligence in Talks for $1 Billion Funding at $11 Billion Valuation
Physical Intelligence is currently negotiating a funding round of approximately $1 billion, aiming for a valuation exceeding $11 billion. This surge in valuation follows a significant increase from $5.6 billion just four months prior, driven by heightened interest in embodied AI technologies. The successful completion of this funding round could position the company as a leader in the rapidly evolving robotics sector, potentially attracting further investments and partnerships.
3 sourcesMar 28Low
- Business· World
Kalshi's Kinetic Markets LLC Secures NFA License for Margin Trading on Prediction Markets
Kalshi Inc.'s affiliate Kinetic Markets LLC received approval for a futures commission merchant license from the National Futures Association, allowing it to offer margin trading products. This regulatory milestone comes as Kalshi seeks to enhance capital efficiency and attract institutional investors amid record trading volumes. The long-term implication is a potential surge in institutional participation in prediction markets, reshaping the landscape of financial trading.
3 sourcesMar 28Moderate
- Economy· World
UK GDP Growth Forecast Downgraded Due to Ongoing Iran War
The OECD has forecasted a significant reduction in the UK's GDP growth for 2026, projecting it at 0.7 percent, the largest downgrade among G20 economies. This downgrade is attributed to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, which has disrupted energy supplies and escalated inflation. Long-term, the UK may face increased economic instability and higher living costs as a result of sustained geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
3 sourcesMar 28Moderate
- Economy· World
UK Consumer Confidence Index Declines Amid US-Israel-Iran War Fears
The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index fell to minus 21 in March 2026, reflecting growing consumer pessimism. This decline is triggered by escalating fears over the economic impact of the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Long-term implications suggest a potential softening of household spending growth in the UK as consumers prioritize savings amid rising energy costs.
3 sourcesMar 28Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Stocks Suffer Largest Decline Since Start of Iran War
On March 26, 2026, major U.S. stock indexes experienced their steepest daily drops since the onset of the Iran War, with the S&P 500 falling 1.7 percent. This decline was triggered by surging oil prices to $108 per barrel amid fears of prolonged conflict disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with escalatory rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. The long-term implication is ongoing market volatility and potential economic contraction, particularly affecting the Gulf region's stability and investment climate if the conflict persists.
5 sourcesMar 28High
- Economy· World
Dow Jones Industrial Average Enters Correction Amid US-Israel-Iran Conflict
On March 27, 2026, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 800 points, entering correction territory as the US-Israel war with Iran escalated. This decline was triggered by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies and heightening inflation fears. The long-term implication is a potential prolonged economic downturn as markets react to ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices.
3 sourcesMar 28Low
- Economy· MENA
Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority Reserve Assets Exceed 1.73 Trillion Riyals by 2025
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority has reported that its reserve assets surpassed 1.73 trillion riyals by the end of 2025, marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to stabilized oil revenues and ongoing diversification efforts under Vision 2030. In the long term, this trend is expected to enhance financial stability in the region and support investor confidence in Saudi Arabia and its neighboring markets.
4 sourcesMar 27Low - Economy· World
Saudi Finance Minister Warns of Severe Oil Market Disruptions Due to Ongoing Iran War
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan has warned that the ongoing war in Iran could lead to oil market disruptions worse than those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This warning comes as geopolitical tensions escalate following US-Israel strikes on Iran, which have resulted in the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, affecting 20% of global oil shipments. In the long term, this situation may prompt increased global calls for conflict resolution and further strategic adjustments in oil supply chains.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Business· World
Meta Platforms Lays Off 700 Employees Amid AI Restructuring and Executive Stock Incentives
Meta Platforms Inc. has laid off approximately 700 employees as part of a restructuring effort to enhance its focus on artificial intelligence development. This decision follows the announcement of a new stock incentive program for top executives, which is linked to ambitious growth targets. The long-term implication suggests a continued trend of workforce reductions in the tech sector as companies pivot towards AI-driven efficiency and productivity.
7 sourcesMar 27Low