
Pokémon TCG Pocket: they change the trading system after players' criticism
With these changes, Pokémon TCG Pocket seeks to improve its trading system and offer a more balanced experience
The card exchange mechanics in Pokémon TCG Pocket have been one of the most questioned aspects of the mobile game.
Faced with community criticism, the developers Creatures and DeNA announced a radical change: they will eliminate the exchange tokens and replace them with a new system based on iris dust.
End of exchange tokens: iris dust arrives
Since its launch in October 2024, Pokémon TCG Pocket has surpassed 100 million downloads. However, the exchange function, implemented in January 2025, has been seen as a limitation. Currently, to exchange certain cards, players must spend exchange tokens, a scarce and difficult-to-obtain resource.

In a statement published on social media, the developers confirmed that by the end of fall 2025, exchange tokens will be removed and iris dust will be introduced.
How will iris dust work?
- It will be obtained by acquiring duplicate cards.
- It will allow more flexible exchanges.
- It can be used to customize cards with visual effects.
The developers assured that they will adjust the amount of iris dust available to avoid excessive restrictions on exchanges.
More changes in the exchange system
Besides modifying the exchange mechanics, Pokémon TCG Pocket will introduce new features to enhance the player experience:
- Wishlist: it will allow players to indicate which cards they wish to exchange, facilitating deals between friends.
- Exchange of two-star and promotional cards: currently not possible, but the developers are evaluating its inclusion.

Community upset over implementation date
While the community has received the changes positively, the implementation date has caused criticism. Many players consider that the end of 2025 is too late for a feature they have requested for months.
Nevertheless, Creatures and DeNA stated that they will continue to adjust the system based on user feedback and assured that their goal is to make exchanges fairer and more accessible for everyone.
With these changes, Pokémon TCG Pocket seeks to improve its exchange system and offer a more balanced experience for its growing player base.
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