It's a global correction including the stock market so I guess everybody are affected with it and not just bitcoin and eth.
It may continue and it won't. Not all the time the price will be always at dip as it will make the people keep on buying.
And be ready as it will be rising soon.
I think you are right. The big whales in the cryto market may also big whales in the other market. I think they just decide to sell some of coins, which have a significant effect on the price.
Yes it's possible that they are also playing with the market of other alt coins as they are investors, they will take over every place as long as it is profitable.
This guy is also right
I have read theymos' post about bitmain's creating an alt coin if bip148 succeeds -
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1966169.0 The same thing as what did Ver had done.