Quote from: naomioleary on February 27, 2012, 11:36:53 AM

I'm currently looking to meet up with people who use Bitcoin in or near London, so I can see for myself how it works. I'm especially keen on meeting anyone who actually has a mining operation - I've been hearing about dry ice and various kinds of modifications, it all sounds fascinating, I'd love to see one for real.

You should consider contacting Amir Taaki (aka genjix) who lives in London and, among other things, is a core Bitcoin developer and operates an exchange; and Vladimir Marchenko, who lives in Sheffield and last I heard, owned a large contract-mining farm.

Quote from: naomioleary on February 27, 2012, 11:56:01 AM

1. A programme needs to be available to allow people to buy and safely hold Bitcoins that is easy to use and not time consuming.

2. Bitcoin would need to be priced and tradeable on a major exchange that people trust to provide neutral pricing data and protect their transactions.

There's a lot to be desired in these two areas but I think the current options are good enough, I don't think that's what is holding Bitcoin back.

Quote from: naomioleary on February 27, 2012, 11:56:01 AM

One guy I spoke to set up an exchange, but had to close it down because US financial services regulations made it impossible for him to develop it into a legitimate business. Is regulation the major obstacle for Bitcoin becoming more widely used? Does anyone have any idea what specific regulations are the problem?

The biggest problem is AML (anti money laundering) laws which attempt to put a handle on activities that could be an opening for money laundering. At best, the licensing and reporting required to comply with such laws has costs involved and hassles customers. I don't know what specific problems Tradehill have been having.