Merit system started only one month ago. All Members and higher ranks got free merit, so it seems like too easy to get 10 merits. Because a big number of merits was free. I think we have to wait some time yet and only then decide about merit requirements for ranks.
Yes, not sure that 10 merits are easy by a large number of members from the community. How many high ranking members are interested in donating merits? It is clear that this can increase inflation from the consequences that the effects of merits cause over time.