This is true. But what the comment is advocating for is systemic change/disruption. In that context, the whole complex (bank settlement, chargebacks, insolvenc

This is true. But what the comment is advocating for is systemic change/disruption. In that context, the whole complex (bank settlement, chargebacks, insolvency) are a single thing. There are always reasons for things being the way they are, but that doesn't mean that things can't change. As the OP says, payments move bits around. There is no fundamental reason why this should represent such a big slice. Besides technical challenges, and whether or not these can be overcome... I think the greater hurdle is entrenched structure and entrenched interests. Stripe is, at this point, a part of that. They have an overwhelming microeconomic interest in payments remaining a large "tax." Imagine an imports "agent." Her job is to get your goods into country X and navigate the labyrinth of rules, chaos, fees and taxes on your behalf. The whole game costs Y. She earns a % of Y. She may have more, and more nuanced complaints about the labyrinth than anyone but... If Y becomes less, she will earn less.