A striking claim has been made regarding the recent sharp fluctuations in crypto markets. Mike Alfred, founder of Alpine Fox LP, claimed on social media that some institutional actors are manipulating the market to drive down the price of Bitcoin.
Mike Alfred: “Corporate Actors Are Intentionally Suppressing the Bitcoin Price”
According to Alfred, these actors aim to incite panic and force investors to sell, particularly by using derivatives such as futures and perpetual contracts.
Alfred stated that this was “one of the largest manipulation and deception operations” the crypto market has ever faced. He noted that investors are particularly vulnerable to price volatility in highly leveraged derivatives markets, and claimed that large funds exploited this weakness to drive down the price.
BitMine President Tom Lee, a well-known figure in the crypto industry, also supported these statements. Lee retweeted Alfred’s post, expressing his agreement with his views. Recent liquidations, increased volatility, and a decline in risk appetite across the market have further highlighted these claims.
Analysts say such allegations of manipulation exacerbate the trust problem in the market, but these assessments are difficult to verify. However, the ability of major players in the crypto market to influence price direction through derivatives remains a long-standing topic of debate.
*This is not investment advice.