Somewhat yes. Their actions can influence the market at a certain level. People tend to follow the whales because it's hard to resist. Everyone is doing it so you'll follow. Do your own research and don't just hop on the train like everyone else.
whales can do everything because they have big capital to change the market direction. That is why it is important to read the crypto news daily so that all us as small and medium crypto traders and users have the idea when would be the time to make profit and make investments into the right coin.