What is the most anonymous way to obtain monero?

@MoneroIsGoodMoneroIsGreat just buy it off kraken

https://retoswap.com

@MoneroIsGoodMoneroIsGreat just mine it

@Trisquellibrium that's the absolute least anonymous way

@MoneroIsGoodMoneroIsGreat the most anonymous way is in person using cash or precious metals, although not really feasible for most. Aside from that, the suggestions from @linuxoid and @GamingResearchLab

@MoneroIsGoodMoneroIsGreat To obtain monero in the most anonymous way - get it from the source, solo mine it to your own local node

Yeah, mining would be the most anonymous way. Second most would be p2p.

Mine it, cash by mail or sell goods/services for xmr.

The best way is by earning Monero in the same ecosystem where you are planning on spending it. Yes, mining Monero is another option, but you need a proper setup to make it viable, which not everyone has. From my experience, there aren't enough "professional" offers on places like XmrBazaar. It's mostly resellers, scammers, miscellaneous products, and people who use AI. However, there is definitely a need for skilled professionals in the community. It does depend on what you are able to offer and what kind of projects you are willing to work on.

P2P cash is a slow, but effective way of getting it when mining it or offering services in exchange for it aren't options. It's not completely anonymous, but it's the most anonymous way of acquiring it without having to go through a CEX.

Otherwise, you can always buy crypto from any CEX and swap it to Monero. The only issue with this is that it does leave a trail and it's a red flag when the tax authorities see you sending LTC to a swapper and then suddenly it's just gone from the record. This is something that I find is rarely ever talked about on the darknet or Monero community. Since you are using a non–privacy coin first, it's entirely possible with blockchain analysis to identify the destination as a swapper. If you are ever investigated, your coins just disappearing after sending them to a swapper will raise suspicion. This is especially the case if the swapper is ever raided and the transaction data captured. It's not about tracing Monero as much as it's about the fact that you are committing fraud and money laundering just by swapping the coins and making them vanish into the ether.

There is the other risk of swapping P2P with the other person using those coins for illicit purposes. If the glowies follow the trail, it will lead back to you and your purchase of those coins at a CEX. You may find yourself unintentionally become a suspect.

Whenever you are engaging in something that could be considered fraud or money laundering, it's important to have an explanation just in case. Think kinda like the mafia: Keep two separate books. If you are still planning on swapping, my advice is to swap into a privacy coin (on the books), transfer to another wallet (off the books), and then swap them for Monero. The transfer could be explained as a simple sale, purchase, or gift. No swap on the record. Just make sure to wait a bit before swapping and don't immediately transfer the exact same amount.

So yes, it is possible to start with a CEX, but it has to be done correctly. Keep two books and figure out a way to get coins from one to the other.

Be friend with people on the community then ask them to exchange your fiat for Monero. Monero privacy already protected from the get go. Nobody even know that you got that Monero from your friend let alone how you will spend it in the future.