GOOD analysis!
Maybe you can answer this question or someone else.
I've tried to buy steem this morning at 11am on Shapeshift, and the trade is still not confirmed 3 hours later. Could be cause by:

• buying small amount of steem
• bought my bitcoin is in can$ on Canadian Bitcoin
• I have online wallet on Blockchain
  Here is a screenshot https://goo.gl/zgWj6j
  I'M still learning

thank you