[klipt]

Yes it's called Painting the Tape and is illegal in the US and prohibited by the SEC: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/paintingthetape.asp

[alex_c]

Does this apply to cryptocurrencies?

[em-bee]

most cryptocurrencies are considered securities, so yes. but this is an NFT. not sure where things stand there, but if they are being traded like currencies, then my bet is on NFTs being securities too.

[woleium]

not yet