This is why we always talk about manipulation in crypto world.
It is not that everyone not being aware of it, but that we cannot do anything about it. It takes 2 weeks to move to that price, at 30 minutes to drop back down.
Whales are not a myth, really. it is just sad.
Just because the price moved a lot in short period, it doesn't mean that there was a manipulation or it's solely the work of whales. If you don't have any solid proofs, then don't make such statements like they are facts.
The market is full of traders, and traders can be both bullish and bearish, especially in short term. Sure, such movement can't come out of nothing, maybe some big hands started it, or maybe there are some rumors that we haven't heard yet, but it's the thousands of individual traders who cause the price moves.