Any advice on what exchange to use from the USA? Asking for a backwards, techless Ozark hick

funding/withdrawal options other than wire transfer? I thought Kraken would be good, but apparently its easier to use from the North Pole than from within US.
Gemini is great. ACH transfers to/from bank account with very high limits. Has always worked very well for folks (so I am told). What is a 1099?