> This experience fits a pattern I keep running into with European business-facing APIs and services

honestly, it's a pattern I have been running into with many start ups, fintech, banks and some other places _no matter where_.

It also often makes sense. For many large orgs (e.g. Banks) this APIs are often a side business, sometimes one they don't want but have to have for compliance (or market pressure). But for strip it's their live blood.

And many startups (like actual start ups, not 200 man companies running by investor money) often simply don't have the resources to prioritize a "very nice to use API".

Lastly API design which is both nice to use and stable for existing integrations is surprisingly hard to get right (if you don't have some senior engine prioritizing it very highly and forcing it being kept prioritized; Or a surprisingly "clean"/"clear" use case.).