Though all currency are subject to manipulation but the more centralized a currency is, the more the degree of manipulation.
In fact, that is the essence of whale holders in most cryptocurrencies. They own a high percentage of the coin and therefore dictate the direction of the currency or project. If the major aim of a whale holder of a centralized coin is to be get the price to surpass that of bitcoin, with enough resources he/she would surely impact the price.
Strongly aggreed on your opinion bruh, Most of the whales will dictate how will the market moves on its own interest. I know it isnt safe just to rely on centralized coin like ripple but it also have a good future they will steer it onto the right direction.