While not a necessity for the daily running of Federation life, citizens of the Federation are not restricted from engaging in capitalism, trade, or business. By the founding of the Federation in the 22nd Century, capitalism is no longer the economic system of Earth, replaced instead by the New World Economy. Under this, material needs and money no longer exist and Humanity had grown out of its infancy. People are no longer obsessed with the accumulation of things, effectively causing the elimination of hunger, want, and need for possessions. This left the challenge and driving force of self-improvement, self-enrichment, and the betterment of all Humanity.

The Federation does engage in trade with friendly powers and organizations. Most items and services are provided by the Federation, some luxury items and services do require being requisitioned using Federation credits. The Federation also continues to deal with cultures that have money-based economies, and private businesses from other races, such as the Ferengi, are sometimes permitted to be on Federation stations such as Deep Space 9.