By definition a free market is, well, free. Bitcoin is a prime example. Investors must be free to grow or lose their money.
“Manipulate” is a broad and dangerous term. I was deputy chair of a firm that listed on the Nasdaq. I’ve watched short traders issue unproven allegations in order to drive prices down while taking a short position.
So if the authorities are going to investigate “ orchestration “ then they need to investigate both sides.
Ps I took sublime delight in noting that one of the firms that was wiped out this week was the same firm that “manipulated” the shares of the firm that I referred to.