Crystal is an uncommon resource, required to construct and upgrade all the common mechs, weapons and equipment that don't require Niodes.
Acquiring Crystal:
Harvesting your Farm
You can harvest them in the Crystal Farm. (If you have friends, let them harvest your own farm, as everyone will get more profit, read below)
Harvesting your Friends' Farms
You can harvest the famrs of your allies (friends) and then, getting more profit as you don't only allow them to get their crystals, you get also some amount and they can send you a share production without lose of their own crystal reserve (all win)
Battle Circuits Fights.
Entering a Circuit pays you 10 Crystal and 2 Niodes immediately on entry.
And an increasing amount on every victory, getting the double crystals than the energy required on every new fight.
Scratching Common Mechs, Weapons and Equipment.
Selling those not elite gears, you will get in return some ferite, bioptics and crystal back.