when you get a badge it should unlock something
for example helio miner badge = better price for helio

trading badge = bigger cargo cap

pvp badge = more dps

I know it needs work but having no reward for most badges is dumb

I know some badges do give reward but they all should

Badges are their own reward.

I'll leave others to flame you to death on the impossibility of a badge magically giving you "more dps" or "bigger cargo cap."

Well tarenty, it's quite simple. You see, within that small rectangular badge, you hide a tiny little pistol. When you get into a fight, you hold your breath, pop open the canopy, and start firing it at the opponent in addition to your normal blasters.

And the trader badges are even easier: they include little bitty pockets! Each one lets you carry like 0.001 cu more total!

And its not like having some little card would ever entitle you to a small discount at the local store....

Now that is reasonable. They could even have weapon discounts for combat badges, since in theory you should be a pretty big customer of their weaponry to have earned those badges.