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> it wasn't possible to buy ETH direct until ~2017

not even with paper wallets? I realize this would be uncommon given the late start of, ahem, intheoreum, but this should have still been common at meetups and such. Also, mining is essentially paying for ETH with only one layer of indirection, but without passing through Bitcoin.

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If you're doing a localbitcoins-style swap, sure. Nothing stops you from finding someone you want to trade with, sending crypto to their wallet address, and receiving cash in hand. Well, other than finding a counterparty to make the transaction.

ETH didn't really get listed on exchanges that also handled fiat currency until around 2016, though.

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