When moving from BTC to Ecash trust is *always* required for the move and *indefinitely* after until you go back to BTC.

Several P2P Monero atomic swaps already exist: BasicSwapDEX, UnstoppableSwap, and Samourai implementation. SeraiDEX and Haveno releasing sometime this year.

The potential reduction of anonymity when using exchanges or services applies to any crypto including Bitcoin. It's not unique to Monero or intrinsic to it.

Exchange rate is pretty close to market for instant swaps if you use an aggregator...for p2p I agree it can be a little pricey, but just solve that by making instead of taking an offer if you value cost over speed.

If you personally fear volatility, which can swing both ways (against you and in favor of you), don't hold Monero long term or just keep a small pool like a checkings account. This way it doesn't effect you or is negligible.

Don't get me wrong. I think Ecash is an objective improvement over custodial wallets like WoS. But I don't think Monero and Ecash are in competition since they are solving different problems.