Welcome.
Yes, there are numerous exchanges around; do thy research. For fiat to bitcoin worldwide, localbitcoins.com is handy and you don't have to do silly AML crapola there. There are numerous good crypto-only (or practically crypto-only) exchanges operating, e.g. BTC-e, mcxNOW, Cryptsy, Vircurex...
As for "hoarding", well, that's just a derogatory term for saving. Bitcoin is a disinflationary currency, so "hoard" all you like. If you take your 'coin off the market, so to speak, the rest of the economy can tick along quite well since BTC1 consists of 100 million satoshi. It's all good.
Yes, there are numerous exchanges around; do thy research. For fiat to bitcoin worldwide, localbitcoins.com is handy and you don't have to do silly AML crapola there. There are numerous good crypto-only (or practically crypto-only) exchanges operating, e.g. BTC-e, mcxNOW, Cryptsy, Vircurex...
As for "hoarding", well, that's just a derogatory term for saving. Bitcoin is a disinflationary currency, so "hoard" all you like. If you take your 'coin off the market, so to speak, the rest of the economy can tick along quite well since BTC1 consists of 100 million satoshi. It's all good.