Mimic dust

Mimic dust was a type of technology that could simulate other items, such as credits, but would disintegrate once it was touched.

Generation 1 cartoon
The Quintessons paid Dirk Manus after the delivery of the Recreator but instead he discovered that he was paid in mimic dust which appeared as credits but disintegrated when he touched it.

After helping the Autobots, Marissa Faireborn was betrayed by Dirk who stole his "reward" of credits but learnt that Fairborne had tricked him and gave him mimic dust shaped as credits.