Topic: I set up an Electrum wallet, now what? (Read 135 times)

No, you should download it using "Save As" (Right-click->Save link as) if your browser is just auto-opening it to a new tab.
It will be saved as an ".asc" file.

Read this guide in details: [GUIDE] How to Safely Download and Verify Electrum [Guide]

Coinbase.com, Coinbase Pro, you can also try Binance.us.

Just as hosseinimr93 commented, it is the process of demanding for your information like name, address, ID card and the likes. KYC= knkw your customer.

KYC stands for Know Your Customer.

In many of exchanges, KYC is mandatory. That means that you have to verify your identity to be able to use their service.

Note that some exchanges may allow you to make a deposit and don't ask you to verify your identity until you request a withdrawal.
Therefore, you should always read the terms and conditions of the exchange before you make a deposit.

Make sure that your device is not having malware, you can read how to secure crypto wallets. The safest walllet you can use are cold wallets, the easiest to handle and make transaction easily are hardware wallets.

You can buy Bitcoin even on this forum, but you will have to be careful of scammers, some people will only want to scam you, that is why I will advice you to make use of escrow, this is a list of reputed escrow service providers on this forum. Just go to currency exchange, open a thread for the request, if anyone accept the offer, dialogue with one of the escrow service providers, if all favour what you need, then you can make the deal but following reputed escrow provider guidance.

You can also make use of centralized exchanges, if your country support Binance, you can use Binance, or you can check Coinbase also, very possible you will be able to make use of credit card or P2P especially on Binance and also depending on your country. But you will have no option than to give the exchange some of your personal information like name, address and ID card. This means that privacy can not be possible while making use of custodial exchanges.

You can also make use of decentralized exchanges which can still protect your privacy, but it may not be suitable for beginners, but it is the best way to easily transfer the Bitcoin to your Electrum wallet for privacy reasons, mining and service fee will be charged, but the cost of sending bitcoin from custodial exchanges to another address is costly than normal, this will make me to prefer to use noncustododial means if you can just spend your time on how to make use of decentralized exchanges. https://hodlhodl.com/ or https://bisq.network/ are one of the best decentralized exchanges.

1. Be sure that you are using an authentic electrum wallet downloaded from electrum.org and verify the wallet.
Check, did this.  Have my phrase recorded on paper.
Not sure how to download the signature file.  When I double click, it opens in HTML.  Should I save this as a .txt?
https://electrum.org/#download
2. When you copy receive address, have a cross check that the address is the one from your wallet because there's a malware which can change your copied address.
Which exchange is recommended for US citizens?

Also, what is KYC?

The replies already made above sufficiently answers your question, but since you're a noob I also want to add, just in case you don't know, your seed phrase generated on your electrum wallet and your private keys as well should be kept secret and only you should know about it, newbies erroneously believe Bitcoin is stored in Bitcoin wallets, but it's not, it's stored on the network and anyone who gets your seed phrase can import your funds into their wallet and spend it. Then again, do not keep your funds too long on centralized exchanges due to hacks and other form of data breaches, move your funds immediately back to your electrum wallet right after you're done with your transaction on an exchange.

All steps can be read by above posts.

Just let know that there's no direct way to send funds/fiat money from your bank (or any bank) to a bitcoin wallet, not unless your bank supports bitcoin (which I still doubt if there are existing bank supports this) where you can convert it easily and withdraw it as bitcoin to your electrum wallet after you deposit fiat to your bank account.

I think it's not that hard to understand a lot of information about the wallet you will need to store bitcoins from this thread even if you are a newbie at this point. Choose according to your preferences.[General] Bitcoin Wallets - Which, what, why?

P2P exchanges will be of great help to you at this time if you don't agree with the KYC rules on most exchanges that have been regulated by the government. You just need to choose which exchange you like with a good reputation status and which supports your country's currency. If you agree with centralized exchange, then I think this list of exchange will suit you very well: https://www.coingecko.com/en/exchanges

1. Make sure you've also verified Electrum signature.
2. Keep your seed safe. If you indeed want 1000$ worth of Bitcoin I'd also advise you get a hardware wallet.
3. Keep in mind that Bitcoin is not like US Dollar and the bank will not do the conversion for you automatically. You will need to find a bitcoin exchange (and which one depends if you want to give KYC or not) or bitcoin ATM and buy from there; then withdraw to your own wallet.

Deposit the money to an exchange which operates business in your country. Then exchange the sum with bitcoin. Get a receive address from your electrum wallet. From your exchange, withdraw the fund to your electrum wallet address.
Note:
1. Be sure that you are using an authentic electrum wallet downloaded from electrum.org and verify the wallet.
2. When you copy receive address, have a cross check that the address is the one from your wallet because there's a malware which can change your copied address.

Noob here.  Trying to figure out my first transaction.
Let's say I want to move $1k from my bank account into bitcoin.  How do I go about making this happen?