When Steem Inc held the most coins and Freedom could decide who can go to top 20, we already knew steem chain is centralized.
For the exchange, if the users can withdraw the coins as will, then there is no problem for the exchange to use the coins. If the exchange prevents users to withdraw, then it's another story.
When firepower the spammer retaliated me just because I reveal the truth and cleaners refused to help, none of your witnesses willing to help. When the whales put the upvotes for sale and the front page is filled with garbage, none of you witnesses care. Now you witnesses realized that you may not be able to collect money without doing anything, you guys acted super fast. Yes, I agree some of the top witnesses have contributions to Steem, but what you did is far less than what you paid for.
Let me tell you, the spirit of Steem had already dead long time ago.