Taniks was hired by Skolas to perform a raid on the Hive, therefore he was provided a Wolf Ketch and equipment, along with a strike force. I don't think the Fallen have currency, he's probably being paid with Ether. Lots of it. But, as said earlier, Taniks doesn't only work for payment. Taniks fights to also train himself, and he's good. Who do you think broke the Archon from the Prison for the House of Winter? Taniks. It's also known that Taniks was trying to become a cyborg, his arms have all been replaced with prosthetics and if I'm not mistaken he also has something in his face, can't remember what it was.