Interesting idea. So this merit system is similar to a social media like correct?
I like the idea because it will make it harder for individuals to farm and sell accounts.
Now they sell not only accounts, but merrits as well
Not easy to sell merit points, anyone can check from where you got merits and it will reveal identity of merit giver and if it's look suspicious can be easily caught.
I think youre assuming status helps only scammers. Jumping in ranks helps you get on a sig campaign and determines how much money you make. No one will check where you got merits if you're not trying to scam them.