There is no "manipulation" in real.
It is just traders trying to maximize the price difference of buying and selling. Nothing more, nothing less.
One can profit from a declining or rising price development - direction does not matter.
Think about it man. If you have deep enough pockets, you can move the market in your direction. Now, given that it is technically possible, why should someone refrain from doing it? It is quite obvious to me that manipulation is real and pervasive, in all markets.
yes there are efforts for manipulation all the time.