By the way, I want to see if I understand this correctly: Continuing to pay a subscription fee gives a monthly stipend of Cryptic Points? I admit I am unfamiliar with how their other F2P game, Champions Online, works; I've never played it.
Correct. Thou i've not subscribed to Champions Online since it went Free to Play, that is how it's supposed to work. CO Subscribers/Lifetimers get 400 Cryptic Points per month, access to additional costume pieces, free-form character builds, additional costume slots (different costume-sets) as well as ability to equip multiple bags (Silver/Free players must purchase additional bag-slots).
Also, one thing to add is that it's been hinted that the STO model will also involve players being able to convert ingame currency, to Cryptic Points. The current plan is a total economy revamp of STO by September 22nd, whereby most current "badge" currencies all get rolled into a single currency. The new currency will then be able to be exchanged for Cryptic Points (method of transaction unknown).
Effectively, a Silver player would then be able to play the game 100% for free, as well as having the ability to convert ingame currency to Cryptic Points, to "unlock" any limitation imposed on Silver players. Gold/Lifetime members would get their monthly stipend, as well as being able to convert currency to Cryptic Points.
(Note: Most of this is speculation, based on hints to using a similar F2P model as Champions Online)
Source:
http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2600