Abstract: A method and system for tracking a fuel cell disposed within a device that has been inserted into an apparatus such that information has been extracted from the inserted device. An identity of the fuel cell is determined from the extracted information. An identity of a registered user of the fuel cell is determined. A current status of the fuel cell of the inserted device is determined. A previous history of the fuel cell is determined from the identity of the fuel cell. A debit or credit to the registered user of the fuel cell is computed in dependence on the determined current status of the fuel cell and on the determined previous history of the fuel cell. The debit or credit is posted to a billing account of the registered user of the fuel cell.