apparently I am not alone Badge pictures not showing - #3 by Caswell1000
Not linking this here because of the legacy versus new badges adjustment cycle.
But I do believe the tendency to use smaller elements is not optimal for accessibilty. The badges look truly shiny, but only for under 40… 
Ofc, adding the option to not use the icon at all is hopefully in the works, and would solve this particular worry.
My remark here is more generic, hope the Frontend team will have eyes for that