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
Iranian Missile Strikes Reduce Qatar's LNG Export Capacity by 17 Percent
Iranian missile strikes on March 18–19, 2026, targeted Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, damaging key liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities. This escalation follows a US-Israeli offensive against Iran, prompting retaliatory actions that have severely impacted Qatar's LNG exports and global energy security. The long-term implication includes projected annual revenue losses of approximately $20 billion for Qatar, with repairs expected to take three to five years, affecting supply chains to major markets worldwide.
6 sourcesMar 22Low
- Economy· Europe
UK Energy Bills Expected to Rise by £332 Annually Amid Middle East Tensions
Typical UK household energy bills are projected to increase by £332 annually starting July 2026 due to surging wholesale oil and gas prices linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. This forecast is driven by disruptions in Middle East energy supplies, prompting Ofgem to adjust its price cap significantly. Long-term, this situation may lead to increased government intervention and support measures for vulnerable households facing rising costs.
3 sourcesMar 22Moderate
- Business· Asia
Fire at Anjun Industrial Factory in South Korea Results in 14 Fatalities
A fire at Anjun Industrial's car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on 20 March 2026, resulted in 14 deaths and nearly 60 injuries. The blaze erupted during lunch break with approximately 170 workers inside, exacerbated by the presence of reactive chemicals. This incident raises significant concerns over workplace safety standards in South Korea's manufacturing sector, likely prompting regulatory scrutiny and calls for enhanced safety measures.
4 sourcesMar 22Moderate
- Business· Americas
Elon Musk Found Liable for Misleading Twitter Investors in Securities Fraud Case
A federal jury in San Francisco has found Elon Musk liable for misleading Twitter shareholders during his 2022 acquisition, resulting in significant investor losses. This verdict comes as shareholders allege that Musk's statements led to a decline in stock prices, prompting them to sell at lower values before the deal's closure. The long-term implications may include a potential damages payout estimated at $2.5 billion and increased scrutiny on Musk's future business dealings and communications.
10 sourcesMar 22High
- Business· Europe
Unilever considers separating food division to enhance personal care focus
Unilever PLC has initiated discussions to potentially separate its food business, including brands like Hellmann's, to concentrate on its higher-growth personal care segments. This strategic shift is prompted by slower sales growth in the food division, which has lagged behind the company's targets, and follows a previous spin-off of its ice cream business. The long-term implication may involve a significant restructuring of Unilever's portfolio, aligning it more closely with consumer trends favoring beauty and personal care products.
4 sourcesMar 22Low
- Economy· MENA
U.S. Grants 30-Day Sanctions Waiver for Iranian Oil Amid Ongoing Conflict
On March 20, 2026, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a temporary sanctions waiver allowing the sale of approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil loaded onto vessels prior to that date. This decision was triggered by the need to stabilize soaring oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel due to Iran's military actions disrupting the Strait of Hormuz. In the long term, this waiver may limit Iran's revenue while providing short-term relief to global oil markets, particularly benefiting Asian refiners.
5 sourcesMar 22High
- Economy· MENA
US Temporarily Eases Sanctions on Iranian Oil Amid Energy Crisis
On March 20, 2026, the United States Treasury Department announced the temporary easing of sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil stranded at sea. This decision was triggered by surging energy prices and supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to an ongoing war that began in late February 2026. The long-term implication is a potential stabilization of global oil markets, although critics warn it may inadvertently fund Iran's military efforts.
3 sourcesMar 22Very High
- Business· Asia
Alibaba Targets $100 Billion Annual Revenue from Cloud and AI by 2031
Alibaba Group has announced a goal to achieve over $100 billion in annual external revenue from its cloud and AI businesses within five years. This ambitious target comes in response to a significant profit decline and aims to leverage increasing demand for AI and substantial infrastructure investments. The long-term implication suggests a strategic shift towards AI-driven growth, positioning Alibaba to compete more effectively against rivals in the tech landscape.
3 sourcesMar 21Low
- Business· Europe
Amazon Acquires Rivr Technologies to Enhance Last-Mile Delivery Robotics
Amazon has acquired Rivr Technologies, a Zurich-based company specializing in stair-climbing delivery robots, to improve its logistics operations. This acquisition is driven by Amazon's goal to enhance delivery efficiency and safety in multi-story and uneven terrains, particularly in last-mile logistics. The long-term implication is a potential shift in the delivery landscape as Amazon integrates advanced robotics to maintain competitive advantage against rivals like Walmart and Starship.
3 sourcesMar 21Moderate
- Crypto· Asia
RedotPay Initiates $150 Million Pre-IPO Funding for U.S. Market Entry
RedotPay, a Hong Kong-based stablecoin payments firm, is in discussions to raise up to $150 million ahead of a potential U.S. initial public offering. This funding effort is driven by the company's rapid growth, including over $10 billion in annual payment volumes and a user base exceeding 6 million. The long-term implication is a significant expansion of stablecoin usage in mainstream financial transactions, potentially reshaping the payments landscape in the U.S. and beyond.
3 sourcesMar 21Low
- Crypto· Americas
Kraken Halts IPO Plans Amid Severe Cryptocurrency Market Decline
Payward Inc., operating as Kraken, has suspended its initial public offering plans due to a significant downturn in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin's price dropping 44% from its peak. This decision comes as trading volumes have decreased and investor demand has weakened, following a series of underperforming public offerings in the sector. The long-term implication may lead to further delays in public listings for cryptocurrency exchanges until market conditions stabilize.
3 sourcesMar 21Low
- Crypto· Americas
Bitcoin Drops to $70,660 Amid Hawkish Fed Signals and Rising Inflation
Bitcoin's price fell to an intraday low of $70,660 on March 19, 2026, following the release of higher-than-expected U.S. Producer Price Index data and comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The immediate cause of this decline was the market's reaction to persistent inflation signals and reduced expectations for near-term interest rate cuts. In the long term, this could lead to increased volatility in cryptocurrency markets as investors reassess risk amid ongoing economic pressures.
3 sourcesMar 21Low
- Crypto· Americas
Polymarket Acquires Brahma to Strengthen DeFi Infrastructure for Prediction Markets
Polymarket has announced the acquisition of DeFi startup Brahma to enhance its prediction market capabilities. This strategic move comes as Polymarket seeks to improve user experience and integrate reliable infrastructure amid growing competition in the blockchain space. The long-term implication is a potential consolidation of prediction markets, positioning Polymarket as a leader in the sector with enhanced operational efficiency and user engagement.
3 sourcesMar 21Low
- Crypto· Asia
Crypto.com Reduces Workforce by 12% to Enhance AI Integration
Crypto.com announced a 12% workforce reduction, impacting approximately 180 employees, to streamline operations and facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence. This decision comes as part of a broader trend of layoffs across the cryptocurrency sector, driven by the need for efficiency amid macroeconomic pressures. The long-term implication suggests that companies in the crypto industry must rapidly adopt AI technologies to remain competitive and avoid obsolescence.
5 sourcesMar 21Moderate
- Crypto· Americas
Evernorth Holdings Files SEC Form S-4 for Major SPAC Merger to Create Largest Public XRP Treasury
Evernorth Holdings Inc. has submitted a Form S-4 registration statement to the SEC for its merger with Armada Acquisition Corp. II, aiming to establish the largest publicly traded XRP treasury. This move is triggered by significant institutional backing exceeding $1 billion, coinciding with recent regulatory clarity on XRP's status as a non-security commodity. The long-term implication is the potential for increased institutional adoption of XRP and enhanced liquidity in the digital asset market.
4 sourcesMar 21High
- Crypto· Americas
Morgan Stanley Files Second Amendment for Bitcoin Trust Spot ETF
Morgan Stanley Investment Management has filed a second amended S-1 for its Bitcoin Trust Spot ETF, aiming for a listing on NYSE Arca. This move comes as institutional interest in Bitcoin products grows following the approval of similar ETFs in 2024. If approved, this ETF could significantly increase Bitcoin's accessibility to institutional investors, potentially directing billions into the cryptocurrency market.
5 sourcesMar 21Low
- Crypto· UAE
World Gold Council Launches 'Gold as a Service' Initiative for Digital Gold Integration
On March 19, 2026, the World Gold Council announced a proposal for a shared infrastructure platform called 'Gold as a Service' aimed at enhancing digital gold products. This initiative is driven by the need to address fragmentation in the tokenized gold market and improve interoperability among financial institutions. In the long term, this could position gold as a more accessible and integral component of the digital financial ecosystem, particularly in regions like the UAE where gold trading is significant.
3 sourcesMar 21Moderate
- Crypto· Americas
Dormant Bitcoin Wallet Reactivates After 13.7 Years Holding 2,100 BTC Valued at $148 Million
A Bitcoin wallet that has been inactive since July 2012 reactivated on March 20, 2026, transferring a small amount of 0.00079 BTC. This reactivation follows a prolonged period of dormancy, likely serving as a test transaction to confirm private key access amid speculation of larger movements. The long-term implication may involve increased market scrutiny and potential future transactions from early Bitcoin holders as the cryptocurrency landscape evolves.
3 sourcesMar 21Moderate
- Crypto· Americas
Gemini Cryptocurrency Exchange Hit with Class Action Lawsuit Over IPO Misrepresentations
On March 18, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed against Gemini Space Station Inc. and its executives for allegedly misleading investors during its September 2025 IPO. The lawsuit arises as Gemini's stock has plummeted over 80% from its peak, following revelations of a strategic pivot and significant workforce reductions. This legal challenge may lead to increased scrutiny of IPO practices and investor protections in the cryptocurrency sector.
3 sourcesMar 21Low
- Crypto· Americas
Bluesky Secures $100 Million Series B Funding as User Base Exceeds 43 Million
Bluesky has disclosed a $100 million Series B funding round, with user growth surging from 13 million to over 43 million in less than two years. This funding, led by Bain Capital Crypto, comes as the company undergoes a leadership transition and aims to expand its AT Protocol ecosystem. The long-term implication is a strengthened position in the decentralized social media landscape, potentially increasing competition with established platforms like X and Threads.
5 sourcesMar 21Low