You can use a debit card with coinbase and then switch the funds over the pro for trading. Or just get a second bank account you can use.
Just test the waters with a few $ to start with.
Just test the waters with a few $ to start with.
That's actually a good idea, would you recommend coinbase or anything else. It seems there are so many.
Coinbase is suitable for you as an american citizen. It's a regulated exchange with good reputation. However, you still have many other options, you can try Bitfinex or Kraken..
I suggest you to visit the link in my signature, a great list of good exchanges is in there and you can choose the exchange based on the pairs you want to trade. It's safe to use, but better to do your own researches before to start as many things would appear complicated to you as a newbie (fees,KYC,TOS,...). Good luck