☉ Symbol for Rhodium

The economy in the distant future is simple, but sometimes complex. Compared to real life, everyone can go to a bank to open an account. This account can be accessed on your devices, and you may open multiple accounts in multiple banks. Money is drawn from this account whenever you make a purchase. Some systems or stations have their own currency, which can be non-material or strictly material.

In the system where the story begins is a steadily growing conflict for the moon of Mega, Garo. Plasidum is a crystal sought after for its immense use in power and weapons. It is present on Garo, where it was newly discovered. Plasidum is a green glowing crystal that is extremely dangerous without radiation blocking. A single gram can power a station for a hundred years.

The economy of the systems that still contain people

The widely accepted currency is called Galactic Rhodium Standard or GRS. It has nicknames such as Rhodium, Grease, GR, Rhodium Pieces, grams, etc.
The currency is mostly digital, moving from account to account but is also used as coinage. A Rhodium coin is made of transparen plasteel with 1 gram of Rhodium in its core. The coin has no symbolism other than the Rhodium at its centre, which would be worth around 100 dollars to real life. This means that a car worth 15.000 today would cost around 150 Rhodium grams. A typical boarding shuttle in the distant future costs around 5000 rhodium, because Rhodium is constantly mined for its value which makes it less valuable by the year.

Examples of Value:

A cup of beer in a bar costs around 15☉ GRS.

A fine meal costs around 50☉ Grease.

A nice hotel stay costs around 150☉ Rhodium Pieces per night.

A cheap used pistol with 2 mags of ammo costs around 300☉ Rhodium.

A low-wage salary is around 400☉ Rhodium per month.

A fancy aquarium with exotic alien fish costs around 800☉ GRS.

A cheap land-vehicle costs around 1500☉ Rhodium.

A typical expensive battle-rifle costs around 3500☉ Rhodium.

A cheap small shuttle ship costs around 5000☉ Rhodium.

A full suit of power-armor, or a Plasidium Fuel Cell costs around 10.000☉ Rhodium.

A new cargo-ship or a antimatter cell costs around 20.000☉ Rhodium.