Shark Cards are purchasable microtransaction items in Grand Theft Auto Online that allow players to acquire in-game currency, referred to as GTA$. These virtual currency cards provide players with a boost to their in-game bank accounts, enabling them to buy vehicles, properties, weapons, and other high-end content without the need to grind missions or heists.
Overview
While players can earn money through missions, heists, and other activities, the process can often be time-consuming or repetitive. Shark Cards offer an alternative by allowing players to trade real-world money for GTA$.
These cards are entirely optional and are designed to enhance the gameplay experience for those who value time over effort. Players who do not purchase Shark Cards can still access all content by earning money through regular gameplay.
Shark Card Tiers
Introduced alongside the release of GTA Online, Shark Cards come in various tiers, each named after a species of shark. The tiers differ in price and the amount of GTA$ provided. Higher-tier cards offer better value for larger purchases.
| Shark Card Name | GTA$ Value |
|---|---|
Red Shark | GTA$100,000 |
Tiger Shark | GTA$250,000 |
Bull Shark | GTA$600,000 |
Great White Shark | GTA$1,500,000 |
Whale Shark | GTA$4,250,000 |
Megalodon Shark | GTA$10,000,000 |
Initially, only lower-tier cards were available. Higher-tier cards such as the Whale and Megalodon Shark Cards were introduced later alongside DLC updates that added more expensive content to the game.
Financing Updates
The revenue generated from Shark Cards has been a major financial driver for Rockstar Games, along with GTA+, which was added to the game on March 29, 2022 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X and March 4, 2025 on PC. It has funded free DLC updates for GTA Online as well as future projects. For example:
- Shark Cards alone have generated over $500 million in profit for Take-Two Interactive.
- This figure far exceeds the $265 million production cost of Grand Theft Auto V.
Promotions
Rockstar Games occasionally runs limited-time promotions for Shark Cards. These promotions usually offer players more GTA$ for the same purchase price during the event period.
