I see what you are saying. But any amount of trading before the merger completion is not complete 'idle chatter' For example right now you CAN buy shares at .75 cents. Those real shares will show up in your trading account. Buying shares now (pre-merger) is a greater risk -a greater amount of speculation involved- but the hope is buying any shares now would give a greater reward if/when the merger gets finalized and completed. The bids have been at the lowest 11 cents and at times lately 19 to 20 cents. Not a 3 cent bid.
HOWEVER let's talk about the share price being "ARTIFICIALLY SET." The shares at the ask of .75 cents are real shares being offered by someone. Someone is in fact selling those shares that anyone here can buy!
However take a good look at that "sell" today of 333 shares at .03 cents. We all see how the bid today has been .11 cents.HOW does someone sell shares at UNDER the bid that is clearly at 11 cents?? Market Makers can do "artificial" things like that!!