Credo
Overview
Credo is the dominant interplanetary currency used in interstellar trade and major economic transactions.
It is issued and regulated by the Central Stellar Bank, a federation of banks, trade cartels and industrial consortiums known collectively as the Stellar Banks League.
Unlike national currencies issued by planetary governments, Credo is privately controlled and operates outside the direct authority of any alliance or empire.
Characteristics
- Nature, purely digital fiat currency with no physical coins or banknotes.
- Ledger, transactions recorded in a distributed yet privately managed ledger accessible only to the CSB and its authorized nodes.
- Neutrality, officially presented as a neutral medium of trade accepted across the major alliances, SUN, LAP and OTO, as well as by independent planets.
- Anonymity, favored by states, corporations and illicit networks because the CSB protects the anonymity of high value clients.
Political Role
- SUN and LAP, use Credo extensively while concealing their dependence on the CSB. They describe it as a neutral trade instrument yet the CSB can impose economic embargoes by freezing the accounts of entire planets.
- OTO, publicly rejects Credo for ideological reasons preferring its internal currency yet secretly uses Credo for strategic transactions such as shipbuilding contracts on Mechory.
- Independent worlds, planets such as Mechory survive because the CSB allows them to operate as financial hubs so long as they do not threaten the balance of power.
National Currencies
Although Credo dominates interstellar trade, planetary nations maintain their own currencies for internal use,
- Sorun, currency of SUN, the Sorestian Empire.
- Lasten or Lapten, currency of the LAP, Lastor and its allies.
- Sanctar, currency of the OTO, Sanctheim.
Symbolism
Credo embodies true power in the galaxy, not fleets or emperors but the money that moves ships and armies. By issuing Credo from nothing based on limited reserves and faith in planetary stability the CSB keeps entire civilizations hostage to its monetary policy.
Contemporary Significance
Financing the construction of Akirado’s fleet on Mechory requires enormous flows of Credo. His request for financial support in Credo rather than equipment places his allies in direct dependence on the Stellar Banks League binding their political choices to the hidden economic empire of the CSB.