Pokemon TCG Pocket to Overhaul Trading System

Pokemon TCG Pocket's trading system is set for a major transformation within the next six months, as announced by the game's developers. The current system has faced heavy criticism since its introduction, prompting Creatures Inc. and DeNA to address fan feedback and implement significant changes.

Upon its iOS and Android release in October 2024, the game lacked the ability for players to trade cards. This feature was finally added in late January 2025, alongside the Space-Time Smackdown expansion set. However, players were dissatisfied with the high cost of trading, which required Trade Tokens, a currency earned by trading in duplicate cards.

Trade Tokens Will Be Removed by Autumn

In a recent announcement on the official Twitter page, the developers revealed that Trade Tokens will be removed by the end of autumn. Instead, players will use Shinedust for trading, a currency previously used to apply Flair, a holographic effect, to cards.

How the New System Will Work

• Shinedust will be easier to obtain, as players will now receive it automatically when opening card packs and getting duplicates.
• Existing Trade Tokens will be converted to Shinedust, though the exact conversion rate hasn't been revealed.
• The new system is expected to allow more frequent trades, but the trading of high-rarity cards will still be restricted, which remains a point of frustration for some players.

The announcement has been well-received by many fans, especially those with large reserves of unused Shinedust. However, some players continue to push for the removal of all trade restrictions, particularly for rare cards.