I just think it is really exaggerating things. Yes we all know the reason it is done in many cases. It is easier to say “I’ll spend 100 shards” than $5 even if you know you bought those shards with dollars. And deliberate exchange rates that make it harder to quickly calculate in your head amplify this effect greatly. Those $10 for 350 shards, 30 shards for one item situations.
But calling it evil and predatory and ruining honest people? Come on that is just shifting responsibility for your own choice to not assign value to something because it is in another currency. You know how much the currency costs you and how much of it you are spending, not their fault if you don’t keep that rate in mind. Smart business tactic to make it more likely for you to spend money yes. To me it is the same as saying cigarette manufacturers are evil because you choose to buy their harmful product.