They have 1 of 2 options. Go public or be acquired. Either way they are obligated to provide their investors with the best return possible. Personally as a user

They have 1 of 2 options. Go public or be acquired. Either way they are obligated to provide their investors with the best return possible. Personally as a user of Stripe I would really like to see them stay independent and go public themselves so they can mostly control the culture and customer experience. Being acquired may mean their culture is changed or their focus gets jacked around.