I have noticed this too actually. I mean, how long did it take for the security chips to make it on the credit/debit cards and for stores to actually accept them? It took the
longest time ever. And not only that but people where bitching the whole time too because it was a minor inconvenience to be told that you have to insert the chip rather than swipe.
Things are always slower in terms of progress here in the good ole US.
It's a total disgrace. And when you realise how pathetic bank transfers there are and how much ATM use costs you also realise that BTC serves a useful purpose that simply isn't called for in Europe.
In the EU there's masses and masses of innovation when it comes to banking. It's getting faster and more convenient all the time. It's still built on the same old crud of course but at least they attempt to be convenient.
Yeah I can't really complain about banking here in my country (Belgium), with SEPA it's just cheap and easy to send payments to any country in Europe.
Also banking + bitcoin is pretty well developed here too. I can just go to a Dutch exchange (Bitonic), pay with my debit card and receive Bitcoins instantly, without any transfer costs.
Same for cashing out Bitcoins, I can send my Bitcoin to a Dutch exchange and have the money on my bank account the same day.
