For someone in the USA, is it possible to have:
1) A desktop or online based wallet if you don't have a photo ID.
2) Ability to buy btc without needing to provide ID.
That is scary to someone who has had identity stolen before.
Thanks - please be kind. I am new and still learning. I have not yet bought BTC.
Haha! Thats the first ever principle of the bitcoin/blockcahin, the anonymity of the transaction. This is what it is gives you in first place so yes you can completely buy/sell or do anything you want with you crypto currency without any photo ID. It doesn't matter whether you are in the UK, USA, or in any third world I would say.
This is the core principle for bitcoin and it derives from the fact that the blockchain is decentralized and hence bitcoin or other currencies can spread their wings to larger grounds and make you more anonymous by that.