We need a little bit of use to spend this merit. If very few people send merit, new members will be stuck for a pretty long time on their rank...
i think this is exactly what is going to happen, but let's see what is going to be the outcome
I even think this was intended so by the leading clique of this forum. It simply means more stakes and pay for them with their high rankings in signature campaigns. And should competition arise they still have the trust system to abuse.