Whales can not create forks of bitcoin, only members of the Bitcoin core team can split the currency.
As for altcoins, there is currently no regulations and just about anytime next can create their own coin, or more commonly a token built on another platform
even if it is true, it will be easily manipulated on their part. This is proven how about the split problems from BCH that occur and of course this has an impact on market prices. 80% of altcoins right now is more like a projects for hit & run. Investor right now is trying to recover their assets