The development team recently dropped a big update concerning trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket, set to roll out by the end of Autumn 2025. Key changes include the elimination of trade tokens, with shine dust stepping in as the new trading currency, as well as the introduction of a feature to select cards you wish to trade for, among other updates.
This announcement, shared in a detailed post across official channels like the Pokémon TCG Pocket Twitter account, began with a note of gratitude for player feedback about the trading system. The team then detailed the upcoming changes, expressing their aim to make the trading feature more “accessible and enjoyable” for everyone.
Here’s a rundown of the changes to the trading system:
First off, trade tokens are getting the boot, meaning players won’t need to swap cards to accumulate trading currency. Instead, you’ll now need shine dust to trade cards with three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity. Plus, anytime you open a booster pack and find a card already in your Card Dex, you’ll automatically earn shine dust. Since shine dust is also essential for obtaining flair, the team plans to increase its availability to accommodate its new role in trading. This overhaul is expected to enable players to trade more cards than they could before.
As for the trade tokens you currently have, they’ll be converted into shine dust once the tokens are phased out. The process for trading one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards remains unchanged.
Additionally, a nifty feature in development will allow players to advertise which cards they’re looking to trade for through the in-game trading system.
The trading feature, which was added to the game earlier this year, had a mixed reception from the community. Players were initially divided, experiencing both excitement and dissatisfaction. The main gripes were about the trading currency limiting trade frequency and the restrictions on card rarity for trades. The upcoming changes address the first concern by providing ample shine dust for trading. While the second concern remains unresolved for now, the development team has hinted that as more packs are introduced, these rarity restrictions might be revisited. This cautious approach might be aimed at preventing any rare card trading markets from taking off.
Adding the option to specify cards you’re seeking to trade is a nice addition too. Personally, I’ve been on the hunt for a second Victreebel for a while now but didn’t want to spend packs on older sets, especially with the allure of fresh cards from Triumphant Light. This new feature should help those searching for specific cards without having to dive into various trading Discords or community forums.
What are your thoughts on these changes? We’d love to hear your take in the comments below!
