In the Ripple Client, in order to convert to BTC, I need to select a Base Currency
(it currently says BTC ???
.)
I searched for a Base Currency Issuer
address and found how to grant trust to BitStamp, which lists what is supposedly BitStamp's address. I realize, however, that I cannot trust this address because it comes from http://www.nofiatcoin.com/ instead of https://www.bitstamp.net/.
I assume BitStamp requires signing up for an account before showing an address.
Is having an account just BitStamp's policy? Say I had a secure way of getting BitStamp's address without signing up for an account and I added this address as a BTC issuer. Couldn't I just buy/sell BitStamp-IOU's over the Ripple Network, even without an account at BitStamp? If so, why would BitStamp only divulge its issuer address if the user has an account?