It really shouldn't come as a shock for anyone to learn that crypto is heavily manipulated and that a few big names are responsible for some of it. The most noteworthy thing about this story is the ineptitude of the bunch.
Market manipulation is doing no favors for the public image of crypto and should absolutely be called out/turned in at every possible opportunity. I originally applauded the author for his work, but after reading this (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q5WUzfQROf7_wzsN29IoVeJEJkKhIJSV/view?usp=sharing) I take back any praise as it looks like he has released this information based on spite/ego.
The end result (the group being shutdown, possibly made an example of by the law) isn't changed by the motivation behind the exposure, but the guy sounds like a total dick and I'd go so far as to wager that he would be happily pumping away with them if he wasn't demoted.
Of course the response in that link is puerile, silly, and spiteful as could be. Given the caliber of many of the people in the crypto community these days, I'd expect no less.
This childish nonsense ALSO is doing no favors for the public image of crypto and I'm not sure that such behavior should be rewarded.
Just my $.02