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Comment by cmaxwe | Hacker News Reader

Until there is an easy mainstream way to fund a bitcoin wallet then I think bitcoin payment gateways are kind of pointless and will struggle to get any real adoption.

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Coinbase has been discussed several times on HN.

Hooking up a bank account to a bitcoin related startup seems risky, and waiting 4 days for funds to post seems inconvenient.

Why do you think it's risky? In principle, is it that different than using Facebook credits? I don't think Bitcoin is illegal in US.

> Why do you think it's risky?

Probably because every new bitcoin processor seems to rediscover the same set of security holes and insecure practices.

Coinbase is run by Brian Armstrong who used to lead anti-fraud at Airbnb. He's a pro.

Because security is hard, and when you are storing untraceable money you become an attractive target way before you get big enough to invest heavily in security.

That said, Coinbase has raised some cash, so perhaps they can avoid this fate.

I think BitInstant is about as easy at it gets if you're in the US.

I have tried to use that website, but I'm too lazy to get out of the house to go wire case to some place I've never heard of in hopes that my bitcoins come to me. Other methods of aquiring bitcoin that I have seen is to find a local dealer who will meet you in some public place where you give them cash and the give you bitcoin. This latter method seems more like I'm buying some kind of black market commodity, and hence, very sketchy.

Easy is going to a website, putting your credit card number in, accepting a transaction fee, and receiving bitcoin. Until aquiring bitcoin is easy, bitcoin will stagnate.

You will never be able to buy cash or cash equivalents with a credit card without paying a hefty fee; the credit card company will count it as a 'cash advance'. (And of course it's unlikely you'll ever be able to buy bitcoin with a credit card for other reasons as well.)

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