[opportune]

Monero isn't listed in lots of the most popular exchanges because, since it actually works and has a utility beyond speculation, regulators have threatened exchanges with retribution. See [0] in which Brian Armstrong (Coinbase CEO) does express passing interest in listing it.

If HN people are still interested in acquiring it, the most secure fiat onramp is through localmonero.co [1]. It's listed on some centralized exchanges [2] if you're ok with the really invasive checks they will run you through, and on some Dex's if you already have crypto [3].

[0] https://decrypt.co/36731/heres-why-coinbase-still-hasnt-list....

[1] https://localmonero.co/

[2] https://www.kraken.com

[3] Haveno, but not sure how production-ready it is. Probably others.

[vmception]

I would say AVOID fiat meetups.

The centralized exchange issue with Monero is over now because you can access Monero through bridges.

Secret Network has wrapped Monero, full defi functionality and and a bridge to the Monero network and vice versa. These are autonomous and permissionless, so the trusted swappers and goodwill of exchanges is no longer needed. Regulators were playing whack a mole with their relationships to exchanges that listed Monero and now the technology improved to make that approach irrelevant: Antifragile in action.

[opportune]

Localmonero doesn't just use fiat meetups, though that's one option.

Agreed that atomic swaps/crypto:crypto are the way to go for the best UX though in general the fiat->crypto ramp will still be invasive.