Stripe is trying to capitalize for a capital intensive endeavor: Stripe Capital. An IPO would have been one way to fund it, but likely would have involved a lo

Stripe is trying to capitalize for a capital intensive endeavor: Stripe Capital. An IPO would have been one way to fund it, but likely would have involved a lot of financial scrutiny along the way, which would probably distract them from the main point of raising the funds. A bold move which will hopefully work out for them and not overvalue the company before they attempt to go public later on.