..... All is well but we must also give the opportunity to the new to go up in grade...
That's why you have no merit requirement up to junior level and only 10 for a member. Highest ranks are supposed to be hard to achieve. The previous system based on activity was way too easy.
I hope the new highest rank is introduced, so all the current Legendaries have something to strive for.
I think that biggest problem of this merit system is that a lot of people is not using it. They simply ignore it.
Could visibility be increased changing the "+merit" color?
Not sure whether people ignore it, or just waiting to see how this system will pan out. You don't want to shoot yourself out in the first week.
But changing colour is a great idea, green should do the trick.
+ Having sMerit balance shown on the Merit summary page would be useful (not visible for everyone though)