Pokémon TCG Pocket will completely change its trading system starting in August

The Pokémon TCG Pocket community is about to witness one of the most significant changes since the game's launch. Starting July 29, 2025, the card trading system will leave behind the controversial use of trade tokens and duplicates to adopt a new approach based on Iris Dust, a resource already familiar to players.

This change comes after months of complaints on social media, where thousands of users expressed their frustration with the impractical demands of the original system.  Developer DeNA has taken note and will completely redesign the trading dynamic to make it more accessible, intuitive, and efficient.

How the new system will work

Iris Dust will replace tokens as the main currency for trades. This resource, which was already used to create visual effects on duplicate cards, can now be used to obtain desired cards without the need to sacrifice duplicates.  This change removes one of the biggest barriers of the previous system, which forced players to lose cards in order to obtain others.

Additionally, there will be compensation for accumulated trade tokens. DeNA will allow them to be exchanged for special items in the in-game store, although not all available rewards have been detailed yet.

Another notable new feature will be the addition of a wishlist function, where each player can add up to 20 cards they would like to obtain. Out of that total, three cards can be highlighted on the profile, making trading with other players easier and promoting a more collaborative community.

A change that could reverse the game's image

With this update,  DeNA aims to regain the trust of the game's most active players, many of whom had abandoned the trading feature because they considered it unviable. The initial response to the announcement has been positive, and there are high expectations for the end of July, when the reform takes effect.

This shift in Pokémon TCG Pocket's design policy shows how user pressure can drive substantial improvements in the overall experience. DeNA appears determined to realign the game with the needs of its community.