Decred locks your coins for a period of 28 days, on average. Worst case is 142ish.
What about coins on exchanges? Do we lose the staking benefits thus we are being debased if we HODL them on exchanges? I realize HODLing coins on exchanges is risky and stupid. (⊙_◎)
I guess your implied policy is only use exchanges for trading them and get a wallet if you want to HODL?
Yes, I am a strong proponent of HODLING. Exchanges cannot stake your coins because they would easily be caught with their pants down if people wanted to withdraw.
People who keep coins on exchange are speculators though... you don't want short sighted speculators deciding the future of your blockchain, so it's ok that they are not able to vote with coins on exchange.