Re. #5: This seems like development done mainly for the benefit of Identibit, I'm not sure why should the Bitshares network pay for it.
Nope, all fiat gateways might need it, no matter if it's BitShares or Identabit.
Not just 'might', they MUST. If you want to have on/off ramps you have to have KYC compliance PERIOD.
If this is not done then the exchanges have to figure out a way to deal with it.. one more reason for them not to make the move.
The only alternative to this is to handle it off-chain. Having it built right into the blockchain is not only more desirable, but also safer.
However.. the previous statement about helping identibit is true.. yet.. it also opens up the market entirely. So unless identibit has some other value propoition.. by having this done we are essentially opening up the whole marketplace.. and giving identibit competition.
We need on/off ramps.. this is the MAJOR thing needed because it's what gives bitcoin it's current dominance.. they have the on/off infrastructure. We make it easier for everyone to use ours so that people can buy bitUSD WITH USD .. then we got the plutonium to power the flux capacitor. (back to the future reference)