[jnbiche]

>Bitstamp has a decent track record though their local[e] give me pause.

I'd say Bitstamp has a very good track record, and what's wrong with Slovenia? It's probably about on the level of the Czech Republic in terms of economic freedom, development, level of corruption (relatively low), output, business practices, etc. Would doing business with a Czech company make you nervous?

In business culture, Slovenia looks toward Germany more than toward the former Eastern Block (of which it was never a part).

I mean, Bitstamp's owners are public people. I feel pretty confident that they're not going to run off with their depositors money. Is there something else that you're concerned about?

But I agree, if you want to just buy coins, Coinbase is a good start. And Kraken is looking very good, too, particularly if you're a serious trader (that's who they appear to target).

[pmorici]

I don't disagree my reservation is more about having to do an international wire transfer to get money in and out of Bitstmap. Also since they are outside of the US you are going to have to submit FBAR paperwork to the US government if your account with them ever gets over 10k at any time during the year. In the unlikely chance something did go wrong legal remedies would be more difficult since they are outside the US.

[jnbiche]

Ah, ok. So it's more because they're outside of the U.S. (your jurisdiction). That makes reasonable.

I thought the "locale" comment was about Slovenia, a country that not many people are informed about and unfairly associate with former Eastern Block crime syndicates.

And yes, the international wire fees do add up. Do any U.S. exchanges currency offer ACH?

[pmorici]

Coinbase is ACH, CampBX took personal Checks up until 3 weeks ago. My primary bank offers wires within the US but not internationally. Doing wires is just a headache you typically have to call the bank on the phone and it just doesn't give me a confident feeling in general.