Chip

Who the hell knows what these things really are? They're a gold, credit-card sized chip with the JSL logo on them.

In canon, they're described as "A trendy and popular collectible item. Something happens every time four chips are collected." Additionally, there's a magazine in the security room with a "Special Chip Feature". It reads "Get in on the chip collecting boom! Big payoffs hinted for collectors - Our experts render their verdicts!" Rio says that this is from a very popular entertainment magazine that she "reads occasionally".

So we've gathered that chips are a very popular collector's items that potentially sell for beaucoup bucks in auctions. So popular, in fact, that even antisocial Rio is in on the fad. So what gives? Personally, I would equate chips to something like Pogs. The chips we see in Lifeline are simply the JSL Space Station Hotel edition of the chip, and there are many different kinds to trade and collect back on earth. This would also suggest that the JSL chips are potentially the most rare and valuable chip out there. Rio's bound to be able to sell those things for a TON of money back on earth, not that she needs it.

Another object of speculation is how it's said that collecting four chips causes "something" to happen. This is obviously a reference to how collecting four chips will unlock a new mini game in the main menu, but what about in-universe? Do four chips connect somehow? The UI seems to suggest this. We may never know.