Money, Credit, and Risk

Central Credits (CC). The official currency issued under the Central Authority. Backed by tariff revenue and registry fees. Most stable across the core. Exchange rates on the rim are weaker due to late settlements and poor enforcement.
Corporate Scrip. Private currency tied to a specific Mega-Corporation or chain of subsidiaries. Workers often receive wages in scrip rather than credits. Valid at company stores, clinics, and fuel depots. Illegal to refuse in corp-controlled zones. Almost worthless outside the issuing chain unless exchanged at high loss.
Ledger Tokens. Unlicensed, peer-to-peer credits kept on local or sector-based ledgers. Used for rim trade, black markets, and Syndicate contracts. Reliability varies by ledger host. A ledger collapse or a wipe can erase holdings instantly.
Mixed Use. Many crews keep at least three balances: Central Credits for official ports, scrip for corp stations, and tokens for rim exchanges. Conversion fees apply each time money is shifted.
Exchange Points. Core banks handle all three types but charge compliance checks. Rim kiosks take anything but apply steep premiums (10–25%). Syndicate exchangers can move money quickly, but at high interest or with binding contracts.

Cargo Insurance. Covers goods from one port to the next. Premiums scale by route risk, cargo type, and whether the carrier is licensed. Claims require stamped manifests, sealed proofs, and logs showing no unauthorized deviation. Rim seizures often void coverage.
Crew Insurance. Pays out for injury, death, or lost contracts. Expensive and rarely bought for full crews. Core companies sometimes demand proof of coverage before docking. On rim ports, coverage is rare; debts to families or clades fill the gap.
Lane Coverage. Most insurers only cover specific lanes. A ship crossing into uncovered routes travels at its own risk. Syndicate-controlled toll lanes often void coverage automatically.
Claim Process. Core claims can take months or years to pay out. Interim loans against claims carry high interest. Some Synthborn escrow nodes provide faster, neutral arbitration, but not all ports accept their rulings.
Fraud Risk. False claims are common. Inspectors and adjusters can seize ships if they find discrepancies. Honest crews guard their logs, seals, and proof-stamps closely.

Core to Rim Spread. Bulk goods (grain, ore, fuel, water) are cheap in the core, expensive on the rim. Rim extractions (rare elements, brine-chemicals, storm power) are cheap locally but fetch high prices in the mid or core.
Delay Factor. Even with profitable margins, delays cut into gains. Pirates, toll seizures, or breakdowns erase profit quickly. A stalled cargo often costs more than the cargo itself due to loan interest.
Seizures and Forfeits. Ports can seize cargo for unpaid tariffs, invalid seals, or suspected fraud. Syndicates seize directly for unpaid tolls or as punishment. Crews sometimes abandon loads rather than fight.
Data Value. Accurate, verified price reports matter more than speed. Crews with current manifests and trusted data can undercut competitors or avoid unprofitable runs. Many crews subscribe to Data Guild updates despite high fees.
Shadow Arbitrage. Some traders run split cargoes: one half registered for official sale, the other hidden for black-market exchange. Profitable, but if discovered, both halves are seized.

Credit Decay. Credits can lose value on the rim if too much time passes between official updates. Crews carrying old notes must discount them heavily or pay for a sync.
Scrip Lock-In. Workers on corporate planets may earn only scrip, leaving them unable to leave without debt contracts. Crews sometimes take scrip as payment only when paired with cargo or fuel rights.
Token Wipes. Ledger hosts sometimes crash, wipe, or cut users. Without redundant storage, value is lost instantly. Synthborn nodes offer backups, but not all ports honor them.
Loan Sharks. Syndicates issue fast loans against expected profits. Missed deadlines result in ship seizure or permanent contracts.
Personal Debt. Crew members often owe years of labor from past contracts. Some creditors track individuals across ports, forcing ships to surrender crew if caught.