The financial system is regressive, with high fees disproportionately affecting smaller businesses and consumers, while larger corporations negotiate lower rates.

Transactional business models facilitate transactions and take a cut, commonly seen in fintech companies.

Payment networks function as marketplaces, and while they are challenging to establish due to the chicken-and-egg problem, once solved, they can create very sticky businesses, as seen with successful companies like Airbnb and DoorDash.

The U.S. payment system is generally efficient, but there are inefficiencies in cross-border transactions that need to be addressed, particularly with real-time payment systems.

The current financial institutions profit from various fees, including withdrawal fees, which can lead to consumers receiving a poor deal overall.

The existing platforms like VRBO and Craigslist failed to facilitate payments, creating friction in transactions between hosts and guests.

The regulatory burden in fintech creates a barrier to entry, allowing established players to maintain high profits while new entrants struggle to compete.

The current payment infrastructure is outdated, having been established in the 1970s, and needs to evolve to compete with modern blockchain capabilities.

Payments are a critical issue in Africa, affecting entrepreneurs' ability to start and grow businesses due to difficulties in transferring money.