The easiest way to buy right now, IMO is to use Coinbase, or Circle to buy BTC and then buy ETH with that. On Kraken you can buy ETH with USD or BTC. If you are not on Kraken, you can buy ETH with BTC by using shapeshift.io. I just use a paper wallet to store my ETH. If you have BTC, to buy ETH with shapeshift.io: 1. At https://myetherwallet.com create and print a paper wallet. Keep that screen open, because you'll want to copy the public address (aka public key). 2. At https://shapeshift.io select deposit BTC, receive ETH. 3. Add the public key of your paper ETH wallet in the receive address. Click start. 4. Send BTC to the deposit address given by shapeshift (from Coinbase, Circle, or wherever you have it.) That should do it. Keep your paper wallet safe. Have two copies in two different places.