If I look at the pricing data of bitcoin from coinmarketcap for last one month starting from 17th Feb, 2019. The highest price that bitcoin market achieved is $4,210 and stabilizing at around $4,000 range. That gap is simply not lucrative enough for whales. If the price stabilizes, they are supposed to loose the momentum.
Institutions are patient with how markets move. It could very well be that they don't mind the current range at all, while those who are here staring at the price all day don't know what to do anymore.
Don't forget that trades can be leveraged, so even the very small range we're in can be highly profitable. The difference is that people here need a super wide range in order to trade, while institutions and other pros are happy scalpers.
Why trigger a potential dump by testing resistance levels? For the time being it's more lucrative for smaller trades to take place continuously. Not sure how much longer this bear market will last, but prepare for more of the same.