Right now, there is not a big wall between $8k and $10k, so if whales wanted to get it back up it would be super easy for them.
Between $8k and $10k we have various moving averages algorithms will sell at, plus we have fresh sub $9k buyers who will be dumping their coins the moment we see the price make a move up.
Whales aren't cooperating with each other.... when one whale tries to pump the price, other whale(s) will dump it back down. Similarly, an attempted move to dump the price will be bought up. It's whale versus whale versus the smaller fishes.
Also, whales aren't going against the trend without there being a good reason for it. The trend has been down and I'm sure it will be respected until we find support somewhere and mark that price as bottom.