Since this thread has decayed into padding your post count i will say something to get it back on track.
What is new with this announcement is the possibility that he will be taking inworld currency for tier.
I believe that there are a lot more content creators and inworld businesses who make just enough to defer part of the cost of tier or just a little more, than there are businesses that make enough to put food on the table.
and these won't have to cash out (paying commission fees & taxes) only to turn around and buy back in.
This makes even more sense as he is starting with a semi closed economy that will give some protection from outside influences & regulators, yes i know that it is impossible to create a completely closed economy for reasons similar to those that prevent really good copy protection.
One thing that concerns me is the timid language i.e. Credits & Rewards. I have found that uncertain language can cause almost as much distrust as over blown bluster.