Darkcointalkers...
If you think we should stop sending our new users to mintpal, please upvote ---->
this post <----
If you think mintpal's current service is a great introduction to Darkcoin for our new users, keep scrolling.
I agree completely, get them out of Mintpal ASAP, and direct new DRK traders to Bter and Bittrex instead, in my opinion. Bter also pays you a small interest payment for your DRK balance (usually between .3-.45% annually), so even if trading is slow, you will get some small profit in the meantime. Bittrex has lower volume and no interest bonus, but I do think it's a solid exchange as well.
Bitfinex... we are the only alt on there besides LTC. We deserve to support them, plus they offer USD as an option. More volume and we might get margin trading...
I haven't yet tried Bitfinex, but will. I was a dedicated Mintpal trader but that's definitely all over now; what they had, although pretty simple, was very sound in its operation. What they've gone to and the manner in which they've done it is a backwards step and anyone's guess on a likely success/failure outcome. I've had a small amount of different alts at Poloniex too and they've been pretty competent (although their DRK volume is usually very small). I had to get some help with disabling 2FA after I dropped my phone and the screen wouldn't come back on (terrible incident; everything, except the Google Authenticator codes was backed up so no data loss just a massive pain for a few days) and they were pretty good at cross checking me before removing it from my account.
Mintpal have demonstrated a level of incompetence, recklessness and lack of stakeholder management that (IMO) negates their validity at handling financial systems. I wouldn't dream of sending coins there now. And as for transferring fiat; I think you'd just be asking for loss.