Crypto Interest Trails AI and Humanoids Among Future Finance Leaders, Morgan Stanley Intern Survey Shows

The phrase “we are still early” stays a well-liked sentiment within the crypto group in 2025, suggesting that regardless of bitcoin’s (BTC) worth surpassing $100,000, the general adoption of digital belongings continues to be in its infancy.

Morgan Stalney’s latest survey of economic professionals confirms this sentiment. The funding banking large surveyed greater than 500 summer time interns in North America from June 10 to 27, and 147 summer time interns in Europe from June 26 to July 7.

The survey revealed that solely 18% of interns personal or use cryptocurrencies, growing from 13% the earlier 12 months. Meanwhile, the share of interns concerned about digital belongings has risen to 26% from 23%. Meanwhile, 55% nonetheless don’t look after digital belongings, a majority, though the quantity has receded from 63% final 12 months.

The widespread lack of curiosity seems vital, particularly contemplating that BTC has already gained acceptance on Wall Street by the introduction of ETFs.

The 11 spot BTC ETFs have amassed $53.7 billion in investor wealth since their debut in January final 12 months, in response to information supply Farside Investors. Ether ETFs have registered an influx of $12.4 billion. Corporations are quickly including each belongings to their steadiness sheets.

BTC’s worth has surpassed $100,000 this 12 months, gaining a foothold in institutional investor portfolios. Ether hit a document excessive of over $4,800 on Friday.

More open to AI

The survey revealed a transparent adoption of synthetic intelligence (AI) by future finance trade leaders, with 96% of U.S. interns and 91% of their European counterparts reporting using know-how not less than sometimes.

The consensus is that AI is efficient, with almost all respondents agreeing they “save me time” and are “easy to use”. However, 88% of interns additionally had a nuanced view, believing the know-how nonetheless “needs accuracy improvement.”

The widespread adoption is in keeping with the sentiment on Wall Street, the place the Mag 7 companies are anticipated to spend $650 billion in capital expenditures and analysis and improvement this 12 months.

Trillion greenback humanoids market

The survey revealed that almost all interns are concerned about proudly owning humanoids, or subtle machines designed with a human-like kind and capabilities, however are cautious about their impression on society.

Over 60% of U.S. interns and 69% of European interns expressed curiosity in having a humanoid at house, with each areas believing the robots can have “viable use cases” and exchange many human jobs.

Still, solely 36% of U.S. interns and 24% of Europeans agreed that humanoids can have a constructive impression on society.

Morgan Stanley estimates that the humanoid market might surpass $5 trillion by 2050, together with gross sales from provide chains and networks for restore, upkeep and assist.

“Although humanoids are still under development, there could be more than 1 billion by 2050, with 90% used for industrial and commercial purposes,” the funding banking large mentioned in a report in May.