Does anyone here think that exchanges slow down transaction times on purpose so they could manipulate your funds in the meantime?
Yes, scammy exchanges have been doing it since day 1, Craptsy was a great example when they held Doge when it skyrocketed and then dumped your coins then bought them back when it tanked and gave you those coins a few days to a week later. Trying to arb is impossible on a scammy exchange.
In some threads here people discuss the possibility of Ethereum will overcome Bitcoin price. If it will happen in 2018 it will be a big surprise. Of course Bitcoin will survive. But what will be the price? Lets watch on whats going on.