Pokemon TCG Pocket Trading Revamp: Trading Tokens Replaced by Shinedust

In a surprising turn of events, the development team behind Pokemon TCG Pocket has dropped a big announcement about trading that’s set to shake things up by the end of Autumn 2025. They’re swapping out the old trading tokens and replacing them with a new currency called shine dust. Plus, players will now have the option to handpick the cards they want to trade for, among other updates.

This news was shared through a detailed image across Pokemon TCG Pocket’s official channels, including their Twitter account. The team started off by expressing gratitude to players for their input on the trading system, and then they delved into the upcoming changes. Their aim is clear: to make trading more “accessible and enjoyable” for everyone involved.

Here’s a rundown of what will be different with the trading dynamics:

First and foremost, trade tokens are being phased out. From now on, players won’t need these tokens to trade cards. Instead, shine dust will be the key, especially when dealing with cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity. Whenever you crack open a booster pack and snag a duplicate card already listed in your Card Dex, you’ll automatically earn shine dust. Since shine dust is also valuable for acquiring flair, the team is considering bumping up the quantities available to players, ensuring there’s enough to accommodate trading needs. This change should empower players to trade more liberally than before. Don’t worry about those tokens you already have–they’ll convert into shine dust when tokens are pulled from the game. The method of trading one-diamond and two-diamond rarity cards, however, stays the same.

There’s also an intriguing feature in the pipeline. Soon, you’ll be able to share the specific cards you’re eyeing through the in-game trading system.

When trading was first rolled out earlier this year, the community’s reaction was a mix of excitement and frustration. The main grievances? The limitations stemming from both the trading currency and the card rarity restrictions. With the introduction of shine dust, the first hurdle should become far less daunting. As for the card rarity limitations, while that’s still intact for now, the team has hinted these restrictions might loosen up with the addition of new packs. Strategically, this could prevent the development of a high-level trading economy.

The upcoming ability to list your desired cards is a nice enhancement as well. Personally, I’ve been on the hunt for another Victreebel. I hadn’t really wanted to waste packs on older sets, especially with all the buzz around the new Triumphant Light cards. This change should make it easier for folks like me to track down specific cards without scouring through various community hubs or Discord channels.

So, what’s your take on these new updates? We’re eager to hear your thoughts! Feel free to drop a comment below.