Agony did away with most of the ranks and certifications a while back (Before I had joined some 2 years ago). It is a great place and if you are enough of a bear, playing eve is free.
You're referring to the PLEX thing? I dunno, I'm not as big as a carebear as Zee...so I doubt I could manage it
I think the most isk I ever had was 1.5 bil. All my isk went to hoarding ships for every occasion.