If the SEC says that the high price increase of last year was manipulation, then they must bring the proof. Let's do our own
informal assessment of the situation and determine what would be needed to cause that kind of a spike in the price.

Manipulation or not but reaching out those prices is somehow questionable because certain things reaching out that range on a shorter timeframe cant be achieved out by traditional assets that why people who are engage into non so volatile things will have those jurisdiction.
I think maybe it could be up to $ 1 million to be able to affect the price in the market
As of writing BTC had overall marketcap on those value below.
$114,948,065,347
How would 1M usd would affect the price? We are talking billions here. BILLIONS!