For example, there is no reason to believe the Fed is directly manipulating gold. Indirectly, however, the Fed certainly is. By suppressing interest rates and supporting the stock market, the Fed has indeed changed sentiment towards gold.

In regards to dumping futures, the Fed is certainly not directly behind that process either. But what about the market makers?

That said, someone sure benefits from these the middle of the night plunges at illiquid times.

So put me in the group wondering who that is.