It sure does seem odd that they would be sitting there with all that cash and yet not care if it could even be used on their network. It strikes me as quite possible that there have been deals struck here way above our pay grade that we will never know anything about. Resteemed.
My understanding is that STEEM is from Steemit user accounts. People in the past have deposited STEEM with Poloniex to trade. That massive pot of STEEM came from Steemit users. I would imagine if everyone that has an outstanding deposit with that account had a say in the future of Poloniex account, I would suspect that the decision would be made quickly.
Hmmm...if that is the case, why haven't these Steemit account users been raising Holy Cain about it? (Or, maybe they have and I just haven't been around long enough to notice..?)
They have months ago. At least for them if they had STEEM or SBD stuck on the exchange, they could trade it for something else (although they may not have gotten a good exchange rate). Till this day, both STEEM and SBD are still trading. you just can't deposit or withdraw from the exchange.
..or from that account here, apparently...?
Yes, that account is where the STEEM and SBD reside. By disabling wallets on their end, they have effectively created an island of that currency that can be traded, but the STEEM and SBD can't enter or leave the island.
Well, that sure is weird and wrong. Thanks for all you do to bring light to this stuff, socky...