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
4310 stories- Business· UAE
UAE launches AI-powered hiring initiative to enhance labor market productivity
The UAE has initiated an AI and robotics project aimed at improving labor market productivity and attracting global talent. This move is part of the UAE's broader strategy to implement advanced technology in government operations and meet the demands of a modern economy. Long-term, this initiative is expected to position the UAE as a global talent hub and set a precedent for other nations in labor market reforms.
3 sourcesMay 3Low
- Economy· MENA
GCC Trade Cooperation Committee Holds 70th Meeting to Enhance Economic Ties
The 70th meeting of the GCC Trade Cooperation Committee was held to discuss trade agreements and commercial law implementation. This meeting is triggered by significant trade volume growth between Saudi Arabia and GCC countries, which has seen a 125% increase over five years. The long-term implication is a strengthened economic collaboration among GCC states, paving the way for future trade agreements and unified commercial laws.
4 sourcesMay 3Low - Business· UAE
Emirates SkyCargo Launches Weekly Freighter Service to Toronto
Emirates SkyCargo has initiated a new weekly freighter service to Toronto Pearson Airport, enhancing cargo connectivity between Canada and the UAE. This launch is driven by a 24% year-on-year increase in exports from Canada to the UAE, necessitating additional export capacity. The long-term implication is a strengthened trade relationship between the two nations, potentially leading to further expansions of Emirates SkyCargo's network in North America.
3 sourcesMay 3Low
- Economy· MENA
Saudi Export-Import Bank signs reinsurance agreement with U.S. counterpart
The Saudi Export-Import Bank has finalized a reinsurance agreement with the U.S. Export-Import Bank to facilitate local businesses in acquiring U.S. capital goods. This agreement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States, coinciding with the U.S. Export-Import Bank's 92nd annual conference. The long-term implication is an expected increase in trade and investment opportunities that could bolster economic growth in both nations.
3 sourcesMay 3Low
- Economy· World
Gold prices decline amid rising oil prices and inflation concerns
Gold prices are experiencing a decline as they are pressured by rising oil prices and heightened inflation fears. This shift is occurring now due to the recent increase in oil prices, which has raised concerns about inflation and its impact on the economy. In the long term, continued volatility in oil prices could lead to further instability in the gold market and influence investor strategies regarding precious metals.
3 sourcesMay 3Low - Economy· World
Oil prices surge to four-year high amid U.S.-Iran tensions
Oil prices have risen sharply, with Brent crude reaching $126 per barrel, the highest level in over four years. This surge is driven by stalled negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, coupled with fears of potential military actions. The ongoing geopolitical tensions are likely to keep oil prices elevated in the near future, prompting market participants to closely monitor developments in U.S.-Iran relations.
5 sourcesMay 3High - Economy· UAE
UAE Celebrates International Workers' Day with Community Initiatives
The UAE honored workers on International Workers' Day through various community initiatives and celebrations. This recognition is part of the country's ongoing commitment to worker welfare, reflecting a theme of unity and support. In the long term, this focus on labor rights is expected to strengthen the labor market and attract more talent to the nation.
3 sourcesMay 3Low
- Business· World
Apple reports $57 billion in iPhone revenue amid chip supply challenges
Apple's iPhone revenue surged to $57 billion, marking a 22% increase despite slightly missing sales estimates due to ongoing chip shortages. The immediate trigger for this situation is the company's reliance on advanced processors from TSMC, which are currently constrained. Long-term, Apple's ability to sustain this revenue growth will depend on resolving its chip supply issues to meet high consumer demand.
3 sourcesMay 3Low - Business· World
Roblox reports decline in daily active users and lowers full-year bookings forecast
Roblox has reported a significant drop in daily active users, falling to 132 million, and has revised its full-year bookings forecast downward. This decline is attributed to the recent implementation of new age-verification and child-safety features, which have hindered user growth. In the long term, the company may need to balance user safety with engagement strategies to recover its user base and stock value.
3 sourcesMay 3Low - Crypto· World
Shinhan Card and Solana Foundation Launch Stablecoin Payment Pilot
Shinhan Card and the Solana Foundation have launched a pilot program for stablecoin payments. This initiative is driven by a growing interest among traditional financial institutions in integrating blockchain technology into their operations. The long-term implication may lead to broader adoption of stablecoin payments and significant advancements in payment systems within traditional finance.
3 sourcesMay 3Low - Crypto· World
Wasabi Protocol loses over $5 million in multi-chain exploit due to compromised admin key
On April 30, 2026, Wasabi Protocol suffered a significant financial loss when an attacker exploited a compromised admin key, draining between $4.5 million and $5.5 million from its liquidity pools across three blockchains. This incident is triggered by ongoing vulnerabilities in decentralized finance platforms, particularly concerning the security of admin keys. In the long term, this breach may lead to increased calls for enhanced security measures and potential regulatory oversight in the DeFi sector.
4 sourcesMay 3Low
- Crypto· World
Tether Investments proposes merger to create comprehensive Bitcoin platform
Tether Investments has announced a merger proposal involving Twenty-One Capital, Strike, and Elektron Energy. This strategic initiative is aimed at enhancing market stability and innovation in cryptocurrency services, coinciding with a positive market response reflected in Twenty-One Capital's stock rise. If successful, the merger could position the new entity as a leader in the cryptocurrency market, reshaping the competitive landscape.
4 sourcesMay 3Low
- Crypto· World
Polymarket partners with Chainalysis to enhance insider trading surveillance
Polymarket has announced a partnership with Chainalysis to implement real-time monitoring tools aimed at detecting insider trading and suspicious activities. This collaboration comes in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny over insider trading practices in prediction markets. The initiative may set a precedent for enhanced regulatory compliance across the cryptocurrency sector, influencing other platforms to adopt similar measures.
4 sourcesMay 3Low
- Crypto· World
Gemini Secures CFTC Approval to Operate as Derivatives Clearing Organization
Gemini has received approval from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to operate as a Derivatives Clearing Organization, enabling it to manage its own clearing for derivatives products. This approval is part of Gemini's strategy to expand into regulated derivatives and prediction markets, responding to the growing demand for such services. In the long term, this move positions Gemini to enhance its market share and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving crypto derivatives sector.
4 sourcesMay 3Low
- Business· World
MARA Holdings acquires Long Ridge Energy & Power for $1.5 billion
MARA Holdings has signed a $1.5 billion agreement to acquire Long Ridge Energy & Power, which includes a 505 MW natural gas power plant in Ohio. This strategic move is driven by the company's aim to enhance its energy resources to support AI data centers. The long-term implication is that this acquisition could reshape the dynamics of the cryptocurrency and AI industries by integrating energy resources more effectively.
4 sourcesMay 3Low
- Crypto· World
North Korean hackers dominate cryptocurrency thefts with record $577 million stolen in April 2026
In April 2026, North Korean hacking groups executed two major attacks, stealing approximately $577 million from the Drift Protocol and KelpDAO. This surge in thefts, accounting for 76% of all crypto losses this year, is attributed to the hackers' refined tactics and the vulnerabilities in the crypto infrastructure. The long-term implication is a likely increase in regulatory scrutiny and enhanced security measures within the cryptocurrency sector to combat this escalating threat.
5 sourcesMay 3Low - Crypto· World
Bitcoin price declines below critical support levels amid profit-taking
Bitcoin's price has declined below $76,500, raising concerns about the sustainability of its recent rally. This shift is triggered by increased selling pressure and profit-taking as traders react to the inability to maintain momentum near $78,000. If Bitcoin fails to hold above the critical support level of $75,000, it may face further declines, impacting market sentiment and trading strategies.
3 sourcesMay 3Low - Crypto· World
Meta initiates USDC payments for creators on Solana and Polygon networks
Meta has launched a new payment initiative allowing select creators to receive payouts in USDC stablecoin on the Solana and Polygon networks. This move comes four years after the collapse of its Libra project, reflecting the company's renewed focus on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency payments. The long-term implication could be a broader trend of mainstream companies embracing blockchain technology for payment systems.
3 sourcesMay 3Low - Crypto· UAE
Ripple establishes new headquarters in Dubai to expand blockchain operations in MENA
Ripple has launched a new headquarters in Dubai's International Financial Centre to enhance its operations in the Middle East and Africa. This expansion is driven by a surge in demand for regulated blockchain payment and custody solutions in the region. As Ripple strengthens its presence in Dubai, it is poised to capitalize on the increasing adoption of blockchain technology, potentially leading to greater market share and innovation in the sector.
4 sourcesMay 3Low
- Crypto· World
Ripple partners with Kbank to enhance digital asset adoption in South Korea
Ripple has formed a partnership with Kbank to support the expansion of digital asset wallets in South Korea. This collaboration is driven by the need to enhance institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies in the region. The long-term implication is a potential increase in demand for XRP and a shift in the regional market dynamics for digital assets.
3 sourcesMay 3Low