I think a less risky option would be for someone wishing to sell an atma having to buy an in-game permit of some sort. That way friends could trade them with friends, and poachers wouldn't have as large an incentive to monopolize or engage in contract-breeching commerce.

I personally wish the grind was just entirely different, so that the prospect of buying them didn't come to the table at all. The fact that they have a quest that they need to strictly control in order to prevent criminal activity is a sign that the system is flawed in the first place.