The future of currency has long been envisioned as a paradise where financial transactions are carried out frictionlessly under a universal galactic monetary system. However, few would have likely imagined this system would ultimately be measured in volts.

Most of the galaxy’s traditional currencies, like the United Nations of Earth’s (UNE’s) petrodollar or the Voor Imperium’s slavecoin, have been swept aside in favor of ‘energy credits,’ an energy-based currency now accepted by nearly all space-faring species.

Handling an energy-based currency has forced a big change in consumer habits. From ATMs now dispensing batteries to the wireless zap-and-go payment system, individuals have had to become adept at handling several thousand volts of electricity on a daily basis.

However, critics have warned that a wholesale reliance on an energy-based payment system poses risks. Rates of customers being electrocuted when trying to pay for items has skyrocketed by almost 5000% in recent years, even when adjusting for aquatic species. The issue recently made galactic headlines after a patient was admitted to hospital following currency electrocution, only to be electrocuted again on attempting to settle their medical bill.

Whatever the case, the future is here. Energy credits offer a new and innovative way for the wealthy to screw over lower social strata, but now with the added benefit of third degree burns.