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?
You cant stake coins on any exchange that I know of.
When you "stake" in Decred you "purchase" a ticket and when you do so you lose access to those coins that were used to purchase the ticket until the ticket votes or 140ish days has passed.
I have my Decred staked in a pool so I don't have to leave my computer on 24/7.
I think it would be possible for an exchange to implement Decred staking of the coins "you" (the exchange really) hold but obviously while staked you wouldn't be able to trade them.