John and Patrick Collison on Stripe's Growth, Agent Commerce, and the Future of Software

April 29, 2026

1:10

John and Patrick Collison on Stripe's Growth, Agent Commerce, and the Future of Software

Imagine watching Stripe’s growth hit 34% in a single quarter — pretty impressive, right? John and Patrick Collison, from a16z, talk about how their company is evolving. They highlight that, as agent commerce and stablecoins emerge, high-throughput blockchains capable of millions of transactions per second might become essential. But here’s where it gets fascinating — according to Patrick Collison, the economics of software are shifting away from mass-produced, one-size-fits-all products. Instead, we’re headed toward bespoke, on-demand systems that are cooked fresh at the exact moment you need them. ((thoughtful)) This shift means software will be more personalized, more flexible — built on the fly, not in bulk. And John Collison points out that Stripe’s growth isn’t just about scaling numbers, but about rethinking how we build and deliver software itself. So, the future? It’s all about high-speed, high-flexibility systems that adapt instantly to what users want. That subtle shift is exactly the kind of signal that usually defines the next big cycle.

This interview with Stripe cofounders John and Patrick Collison originally aired on TBPN. They discuss Stripe's 34% growth and new employee tender offer, how agent commerce and stablecoins may require high-throughput blockchains built for millions of transactions per second, and why the economics of software are shifting from mass-produced products to bespoke, on-demand systems cooked fresh at the moment of use.

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Audio Transcript