The real reason that the big boys are exiting the market is that the game of musical chairs is about to end. They do not want to be left holding the bag.
Contracts will come due in the PM markets and there will be nothing (physical) available to deliver.
I expect a major crash is coming our way.
My guess is that even some of the big boys are as terrified of the incredible and irrational whipsawing going on by the central banks and their cohort in the metals the last few years as the little guys.