1) N/A
2) +1, gold is essentially worthless after endgame, since buying everything with EC is easier since the volume went up significantly since everyone started making alts to do things like BH, Ares, etc. Realistically, the only thing you can do with gold now (that would be worth it), is selling it for EC. Not suggesting that EC be added to boutique, but more valuable items that don't negatively affect the economy would be good.
2.1) Mini suggestion: Add the supreme robe mats that you get from TM runs to boutique at a high/fair price? The instance itself is easy, but finding parties is honestly annoying.