Switching between currencies, especially paper currencies, requires trust unless you're physically handing over money. I have full control over my bitcoins, but

Switching between currencies, especially paper currencies, requires trust unless you're physically handing over money. I have full control over my bitcoins, but if I want dollars, I need to trust Bitstamp and my bank, or Stellar and my gateway. Anyone can be a gateway, so Stripe can't prevent others from succeeding. The only barrier to entry to becoming a successful gateway is earning the trust of the folks transacting on the network.