Here's Where the Manipulation Happens
This is some next level crazy.
From Venture Beat:
Over-the-counter Cryptocurrency Market Moves Over 100 Million Daily
These are coordinated block trades that are by design set up to hide how they may or may not move the markets. Minimum transactions in the $75,000. Operated exclusively for hedge funds and the wealthy elite. It's hard not to get frustrated when the game is so obviously rigged.
Bitcoin was supposed to be a great economic equalizer.
Some things never change.
Interesting that you see it that way. I stumbled upon that post a day ago and my first thought was more about skirting regulations. I see it as a way for investors to dodge around the restrictions placed on them, especially in countries such as China. I actually see it as healthy for blockchain technology - you can't stop it merely by making it illegal.
You're right though, there is definitely a downside. Bitcoin is already a lot more centralised than it should be, and this isn't helping. Whales very obviously manipulate markets constantly, not good news for the new and naïve investor.
Eventually, as blockchain technology spreads out and becomes more prevalent, I hope to see Bitcoin lose most of its market share to smaller coins. Wise investors who are already buying those coins will then stand a chance against the whales.
My advice: look for solid new coins that are cheap. Here, I'll throw out a few freebies (yes, I own them myself, use it - don't use it): LOCIcoin and CargoX.