The raid game actually does eventually require you to possess a non-welfare charm, for most classes a 228k Diabolic/Holy Charm/Juggernaut eventually being the bare-bones minimum to scrape by without being a total carry in a raid mostly comprised of people who have eternals and supremes at T12-T13. People are not incentivized to "play" when they farm charm money, they farm for the specific purpose of getting money for that charm as Fuwok said. It's not a real platinum sink when most of that platinum is being earned for the sole purpose of spending it on that charm.
Absolutly nothing is "required" to *play* the game,if you cant do the content go somewhere else.
If you can only enjoy the game at T12/13 I really feel with you.