There is a third option which erases most of the cons of anonymity you listed.  Go anonymous in that your IRL is never divulged, but create a strong identity and presence with your forum handle.  Be active and have great customer service and do everything you can to reach out to your userbase and the community.  Be as transparent as you can possibly be with revealing yourself, use cryptographically "provable" techniques for your service whenever possible.  Help users verify things.

It may take longer, but you will gain trust and reputation and eventually have a flourishing service.

(At which point you can pull a Pirate and disappear with our monies, having pulled a very successful long con.)