China banned it and it briefly dropped. I think it was around $1,200 when that news broke and today its $900(and climbing). The chinese economy is only a little bit smaller than the US. The US could ban it, but I don't think over the long term, it will have any effect. Congress already considers Bitcoin a legitimate currency. Governments can try to ban it, but just like weed, people are still going to use it. http://paymentmagnates.com/industry-news/us-congress-see-bitcoin-as-a-legitimate-currency
Coinbase is the only place in US to really purchase BTC. It is a process, but once you get verified it is not a big deal. Just takes a bit of time. You can look into campbx.com, but they are shady at best. Conversely, you could mine them yourself or hire yourself out for services in BTC.
I thought they just said they are not going to guarantee it or support it; kind of a "do it at your own risk" position.
I always thought it better to just buy them than mine them. The companies that sell the mining equipment will give you some pie in the sky numbers, like that neptune miner that promises 3 Terrahash/s and will get you 2 bitcoins per day mining. In December when they said it, technically it was true...you WOULD get 2 bitcoins per day for a $13k mining rig. Of course they don't tell you that by the time they get them shipped (in 2Q 2014) mining difficulty could be through the roof and that 2 btc per day will actually only be .1 btc per day(maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less) Of course prices might have gone up by then too, but you take a risk mining and sometimes its just better to take the money you would've spent on mining equipment and buy bitcoins.
All the people who bought first release miners made bank, be it 10 GH first version or 500 GH later releases. Only the morons who can't do basic math or any research (are you one of them?) lost money buying well above ROI numbers. Same is true for Neptune first gen buyers will make a lot of money barring any issues with delivery date, but KNC has rock solid track record.
With virwox.com you can buy Bitcoin using your Credit card,debit card,paypal and other ways. For people that don't want the hassle of have to give bank accounts,proof of residence and all those pain in the ass requirements that the other places ask. Learn how to use it first watch videos on youtube.