[pbreit]

Etsy could have implemented Stripe and not be the middleman while still offering a "direct pay-like" experience. Of course, each Etsy seller would need to sign up for Stripe. But I would think Stripe would be very keen on that.

[ozten]

Did anyone at Etsy look into this integration? Why didn't this seem viable?

[subpixel]

That approach would remove a couple big wins:

1) the ability to sell Etsy-wide credit, e.g. gift certificates.

2) interest-earning cash in the bank (the days/weeks between the sale and when the seller marks the item as shipped)