I've also seen update detail there and I really hope that Aden applies things that you mentioned above.
It will be a greatest news for all F2P like me because finally we can see some leveling progress and have fun playing. getting bullied sometime by whales is actually not a big deal. It may encourage some F2P to spend money.
Although this change will attract more farmers / adena dealers, but IMO it is unavoidable, even now before update.