I share your skepticism. While crypto appears to be impervious to the same level of manipulation found in all other markets, it is difficult for me to believe that there are asset classes and tech that are immune. The recent, massive increases in the value of crypto remind me of the rapid share price advances in precious metals mining stocks in 2016. I believe that the manipulators were the main purchasers of those stocks last year. Which were then strategically sold off in tandem with pm to suppress sentiment. With that said, cryptocurrencies must be taken note of and may be an incredible opportunity for astute and risk tolerant people.