They get f**** because they store their NEM on exchanges and rely on exchange allocations or allowances to deposit, withdrawal.
If they opt in in their accounts, they can move their claimed Symbol to any lively exchanges. Many exchanges to trade Symbol.
What you argued can be used to talk about DeFi too. Are DeFi tokens better than NEM or Symbol?
.... BUT the NEM Group stated that they are working closely with exchanges in the BETA phase of Symbol to enable them to smoothly integrate the wallet. Sounded like everything will be available directly after Snapshot because the NEM Group was working really closely with the exchanges....
All exchanges received all opted in tokens in the genesis block the same as all holders who opted in in the wallet.
Exchanges have been able to run a node since shortly after launch, the same as the other ~1500 nodes being run globally
If there are external factors at play…they are not Symbol chain related. The same statement is true for any third party blaming internal/external forces for a lack of distribution/listing/withdrawal/deposit for their customers.