I think the next step on attempts to decentralize exchanges is to actually not host them on servers, so maybe with payment channels and lightning network stuff one could program a exchange that is actually peer to peer without the need of someone hosting the entire scheme in a server which could disappear while you have an ongoing trade, and also having to trust an escrow.
Of course, this would be crypto to crypto exchanges, I don't think there's a way to solve this with fiat, since fiat is the old system, you cannot expect decentralization in the process.
Also, places like LocalBitcoins are becoming increasingly dangerous with many agents trying to ruin your life if you want to cash out some BTC to pay some bills, so beware.
Of course, this would be crypto to crypto exchanges, I don't think there's a way to solve this with fiat, since fiat is the old system, you cannot expect decentralization in the process.
Also, places like LocalBitcoins are becoming increasingly dangerous with many agents trying to ruin your life if you want to cash out some BTC to pay some bills, so beware.
If someone ever solves the issue of creating a decentralized p2p exchange with FIAT then it will be a billion dollar idea. I guess the closest thing for now would be having it but with a stable coin used in place of fiat, that of course in itself is not without its many negatives, plus you'd have to go through a centralized route to buy those stable coins in the first place.
