I don't have any doubt that this was all just big pump and dump, but my theory is, even the BTC creators didn't realize that Bitcoin would go this far.
You are correct, But even is like that look what happened to bitcoin right now. We have a big community in this industry, many of the companies all around the world adopted bitcoin unique system, and even in the other country they pursuing their fellow citizens or masses about in bitcoin. Therefore, it doesn't matter whether bitcoin is pump and dump.
Which country ? i have seen no one pursuing their citizens about bitcoin and even didn't intended to. if from my opinion bitcoin is basically a currency which can be easily pumped and dumped based on the demands-supply in the market and how the opinions regarding the circumstances were build to drive people on whether selling or buying bitcoin.