For unexplainable reasons the prices of Steem and Steem Dollars are price spiking.

Agree with you, Steemit is currently spiraling downwards as there are many problems that I have talked several times about.

Some top 20 witnesses and whales are corrupt, that is actually not a secret anymore. Whales sell their votes to witnesses.

Only the top 50 are displayed on the witness list, inactive witnesses get votes from top people to secure their power and so much more.

I am 100% certain this is a pump & dump movement.