https://forum.getmonero.org/7/open-tasks/2412/xmr-pool-infrastructure-overhaul
Price was pretty stable at 0.002 BTC/XMR for months, when BTC ranged between $220-$300. So, $0.45-$0.6 roughly. Now we are at the bottom of that range, which is roughly one quarter. I know if I were to exchange all the XMR I bought this summer for BTC now, the fiat value would be much less.
That was not the question. There are direct fiat/xmr markets.
I did some digging on coincap.io (they display the fiat price of XMR over time). Around the time MoneroMooo made his first proposal (somewhere in the 2nd week of July if I recall correctly), XMR was on average worth ~0.52$-0.55$. Currently it's ~0.39$-0.42$. Thus, the increase in XMR is perfectly justifiable in my opinion. Next to that, he is doing an awesome job, so even if the fiat price didn't decline his increase was justifiable.
THIS was edited out of my post "Not that that matters as 40 XMR for a competent developer is a good deal. " Am I being played? Don't edit my quotes Saddam if you are going to leave qualifier statements out.