I'm hoping that another scenario is the result of the run?
Someone wanted a rather large position, maybe 100,000,000 shares. They instructed their broker, paid the least possible on every transaction, bought what they wanted, now is waiting with the rest of us.
Why? most would think that they expect the price to increase and wanted to have a large position.
To think that several shareholders connected with the intention of illegally manipulating the price sounds a little far fetched.
MM, might be involved however, manipulation is illegal and to risk ones entire career for a few, or even several thousand dollars, not likely to me.
Discloser, 11,000,000 shares today