How does Stripe handle different payment methods (cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, bnpl, etc.) within one platform?

Stripe unifies multiple payment methods through a single API integration. Merchants connect once and gain access to cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, bank debits, and buy-now-pay-later services without building separate integrations for each. The platform handles authentication, currency conversion, and compliance across geographies, routing each transaction through the appropriate network. Understanding the difference between 2D vs 3D payment gateway architectures helps explain how Stripe manages security layers for card transactions within this unified system. For Indian exporters and freelancers receiving international payments rather than collecting them, Skydo offers an RBI-authorised alternative that consolidates inbound cross-border transfers with competitive forex rates and faster settlement, purpose-built for India's regulatory environment.