I might be wrong but I think the main reason for all this manipulation is the result of the impact of BitcoinSV. I do not know what Craig Wright is doing, but his attempt to ruin BitcoinCash have worked.
He have lots of media power and he uses it. in last month or so he announced that most big altcoins will die in next year. I know for Monero he said end of 2019. That are attacks. Of course he is not that strong to make such price jumps, but it was about right time to find bottom. So not much push was needed.