1. A method for managing a distributed transaction system, comprising: managing transactions with at least an active database by an active transaction manager, where the active database reflects an application of a set of active transactions; managing transactions with a merge database, where the merge database reflects an application of a first subset of the set of active transactions; generating discrepancy transaction log information that reflects a set of discrepancy transactions that is distinct from the first subset of active transactions, the discrepancy transactions consisting of active transactions not yet applied to the merge database; determining whether to transfer control of the merge database to the active transaction manager; and if a determination is made not to transfer control of the merge database to the active transaction manager, instructing a latent transaction manager to apply the discrepancy transactions to the merge database to reflect the set of discrepancy transactions reflected in the discrepancy transaction log information, and instructing the active transaction manager to continue to manage transactions with the active database; and if a determination is made to transfer control of the merge database to the active transaction manager, instructing the active transaction manager to halt transactions with the active database, instructing the latent transaction manager to update the merge database to reflect the set of discrepancy transactions reflected in the discrepancy transaction log information, and instructing the active transaction manager to manage transactions to the active database and the merge database.