Pokémon TCG Pocket is listening to its fans and removing the need for trade tokens in order to trade cards in the mobile game.
Trading was a highly anticipated feature in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Unfortunately, its implementation was divisive among the community. Stamina, trade tokens, and a few other restrictions were not exactly what players were expecting. And now, trades in Pokémon TCG Pocket will completely change.
Thanks to that community feedback, the team behind Pokémon TCG Pocket has pledged to update the trading feature. They state that everything will be done by the end of autumn 2025, with trade tokens no longer necessary.
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Trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket will now require shinedust instead of trade tokens
A lengthy letter to the community was issued by Pokémon TCG Pocket through their X account. They acknowledged the community feedback and introduced updates to the trading feature that is set to arrive before the year ends.
Here are the main points of the message:
- Exchanging cards is no longer required to obtain currency to trade cards
- Trade tokens are being completely removed
- Existing tokens can be converted to shinedust after removal
- Three-Diamond, Four-Diamond, and One-Star cards require shinedust now
- Shinedust is automatically earned whenever you obtain a card already registered in your Card Dex
- A new feature is in development that allows you to express what cards you are interested in trading for

This is a pretty big, and welcomed, change to how trades work in Pokémon TCG Pocket. The team also states that they are looking into how trading will work for currently untradeable cards. This includes promo cards and Two-Star cards.
There are no changes when it comes to trading cards of One-Diamond and Two-Diamond rarity. And they are also looking into increasing the amount of shinedust earned, since it will now be required for both obtaining flair and trading cards.
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