No one controls the price.
Personally I think the BTC market is more rigged than the NYSE with its trading bots.
I'm sure there are players who try in all markets. However I don't think it's rigged. That would require some control over what others can do. There are many mechanisms for that in fiat/NYSE. But in BTC markets anyone can (and will) come in an spoil your party. If some evidence showed it then I would be more inclined to believe it. Whenever I pursue such evidence I find the source is just an opinion with no facts to support it. Something like:
A) "The market is being manipulated!!!!!"
B) "Oh, how do you know?"
A) "because I just lost $300!!!"
B) "Hmmm..."