I get all that, but this is not an argument of exchange vs. no exchange, even when you decide to use an exchange, you do have other options. Why not use exchange (with all the same issues/risks as above) but doesn't have a history of trying to fuck BTC any chance they get? Kraken/Gemini have all the same issues but don't seem to actively go out of their way to screw with BTC
[re:coinbase? sorry if wrong]
i was/am planning on opening a gemini account but last i went to join they wanted my login to my bank. no thanks, coinbase does the two random transaction and you just confirm them. did that like 7 years ago and been there ever since.
yeah they are getting draconian. but its solely an on/off ramp for me. i dont send/receive coins to <wherever> from coinbase (ie use as a wallet). i xfer out when i buy, xfer in when i want to sell.
and i do keep a bit for trading. such as it is lately.