How to Buy Star Trek Online Energy Credits Safely

Last reviewed September 2026 · How we research · See the Star Trek Online vendor list for scored sellers.

Understand What Can Go Wrong

Star Trek Online has two layers to think about: Zen and Refined Dilithium, which the developer connects through an official exchange, and Energy Credits (EC), the everyday trade currency. Buying EC from a third party carries scam, account-security and rules risk, and successful delivery does not mean the transaction is officially supported. Arc Games’ support site has an article on why you cannot safely buy currency from third-party sites. It says such sites put your account security at risk, that the Zen, items and in-game currency they sell are often obtained by compromising other players’ accounts or using stolen cards, and that buying from them violates the Terms of Service and can lead to permanent account closure. The article points to the Perfect World Terms of Service, which forbid trading, selling, auctioning or transferring virtual items or goods of any kind outside the game. We did not find a rule text naming Energy Credits specifically, but this general statement is the publisher’s position on outside sales.

The Official Exchange: Zen and Refined Dilithium

Arc Games’ own “Dilithium 101” explainer describes an in-game exchange where players can offer Refined Dilithium to buy Zen and offer Zen to buy Refined Dilithium, with offers held in escrow until they fill or are cancelled. It also notes that Zen bought through the exchange is bound to Star Trek Online. In other words, there is a sanctioned way for players with money and players with time to trade with each other, which is the baseline any third-party offer should be compared against.

How Energy Credits Move

According to the community-maintained STO wiki, Energy Credits cannot be sent by in-game mail but can be moved by direct trade, the fleet bank or the account bank, and there are per-character caps that differ by account type (the wiki lists 2 billion for gold accounts on PC at the time of writing; check the current figure in game). A widely repeated explanation on Arc’s forums is that Zen can buy items such as Master Keys and Fleet Modules that then sell for millions of EC on the exchange. That is a player description rather than an official statement, so verify prices in game.

Vet the Seller or Marketplace

Check how long the seller has operated, read recent independent reviews, and read the refund and delay terms. Be sceptical of anyone who cannot explain how they obtain EC. Our Star Trek Online vendor list shows scored sellers, and the seller evaluation checklist lists what to look for.

Delivery and Payment

EC is normally delivered by direct trade, so you should only ever need to give your character name. Never share your Arc password, email login, authenticator codes or remote access. Check the amount received against your order straight away, record the time and the delivering character, and avoid trades that need unusual steps.

Use a payment method that offers dispute rights, keep the invoice, order number and chat log, and never move to a private chat or an irreversible payment because a seller asks. Do not file a chargeback after you have received what you paid for — reversed payments are a common way sellers lose money and a common reason delivered currency gets flagged later.

Red Flags to Avoid

Prices far below what other reputable sellers charge for the same amount; guaranteed “no-ban” claims; requests for your login; unsolicited offers in chat or Discord; look-alike domains; and pressure to pay by an untraceable method.

Step-by-Step Checklist

Look at the current Zen/Dilithium exchange and in-game item prices so you know the sanctioned baseline.
Check the current Terms of Service and confirm you accept the account risk.
Compare the offer with a few other reputable sellers and read the vendor’s review page.
Confirm delivery is a plain in-game trade with no credentials involved.
Pay with a method that allows disputes and keep records.
After delivery, verify the amount and secure the account.

Lower-Risk Alternatives

The exchange is the sanctioned route, and earning EC through play avoids the question entirely. See our STO Energy Credit farming guide for methods and the Currency Calculator to compare hourly value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Star Trek Online have an official way to trade Zen and Dilithium?

Yes. Arc Games’ Dilithium 101 explainer describes an exchange for offering Refined Dilithium for Zen and the reverse.

Can Energy Credits be mailed?

According to the community wiki, no; they move through direct trade, the fleet bank or the account bank.

Is buying Energy Credits from a third party allowed?

No. Arc Games says buying currency from third-party sites violates the Terms of Service and can lead to permanent account closure, and scams and account theft are additional risks.