I've talked to one witness to guide me so that I can start my own exchange type node just to see how difficult it would be to operate the node. Supposedly, there is a stripped-down version of the node software (for exchanges) that ignores social media type transactions. What I've learned is that it still takes a 64GB server to run the exchange STEEM node. That is ridiculous. There needs to be a better way. The @utopian-io development may be part of the answer.

We still need to rely on an alternative method (other than Steemit Inc) to get STEEM/SBD listed on major exchanges. Would you support my effort by promising a witness vote to the witness that accomplishes the task? No witness vote is needed if no witness accomplishes the goal. I think if you supported with a promise, then there would be a surge in support by other users.