zât

Zåt is a fictional currency used in several works of speculative fiction that share a common setting in the archipelago of Valune. In these narratives, zåt functions as a digital medium of exchange for goods and services, particularly in coastal towns where traditional banks are sparse.

Etymology and form: The name zåt is a constructed term, often spelled with a diacritic å to convey a long vowel; alternative spellings include zaat or zath in fan texts. The term is not standardized across sources, reflecting its origin in multiple authors' worldbuilding.

Mechanics and economics: In-universe, zåt is issued by municipal councils and backed by a basket of renewable energy credits; its supply is regulated through harvest cycles and a decentralized ledger known as the Zephyr Ledger. Transactions are verified through consensus among local nodes; wallets run on portable devices and sometimes via public kiosks. Value fluctuates with energy production, weather, and trade flows.

Cultural role: Zåt underpins local markets, labor contracts, and microfinancing. It is associated with community resilience and autonomy from centralized financial systems, but it also raises concerns about access and inequality when energy generation is uneven.

Reception: Since zåt exists within fictional worlds, references to it appear in scholarly and fan discussions about those works. It is not a real-world currency, and any real-world use of the term generally refers to the fiction where it originated.