i doubt patreon has a grip on creators. There just aren't enough alternatives, but the bigger it gets the more likely it is a bank/crypto company/credit card company will create a solution for microtransactions that eats all of their lunch. They exist because they benefit from the current unfortunate situation in finance that microtransactions are not worth it due to cost. They are one change in regulation away from being rendered obsolete. They don't have any network effect: their creators instantly take their audience with them wherever they go.