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Bitcoin’s historic climb past $100,000 has cemented its place as a dominant financial asset on Wall Street, bolstered by the success of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and growing institutional investment. Yet, a new survey from Morgan Stanley highlights an unexpected reality: tomorrow’s financial leaders remain hesitant to fully embrace the world of digital assets.
Morgan Stanley Intern Survey Shows Limited Crypto Engagement
The annual Morgan Stanley intern survey, conducted between June 10 and July 7 across North America and Europe, gathered insights from over 650 interns. The results reveal only 18% of interns own or use cryptocurrencies, a modest increase from 13% in 2024. Interest levels also edged up, with 26% expressing curiosity about digital assets compared to 23% last year.
However, more than half of respondents — 55% — admitted they remain uninterested in crypto, though this is an improvement from 63% in 2024. The numbers suggest that despite crypto’s rising mainstream presence, most future finance professionals continue to approach the sector with caution.
This cautious sentiment is striking when placed against the backdrop of institutional adoption. Since January 2024, when the U.S. approved 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs, inflows have surged to $53.7 billion, while Ether ETFs have attracted $12.4 billion, according to Farside Investors. Corporations, too, have stepped up, adding Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to their balance sheets.
For many industry veterans, the disconnect between Wall Street’s enthusiasm and intern skepticism underscores the oft-repeated crypto mantra: “We are still early.”
Bitcoin’s Milestone vs. Retail Skepticism
Bitcoin’s rally above $100,000 and Ether’s push to record highs above $4,800 mark historic milestones. These levels have fueled bullish sentiment among institutional investors, yet retail adoption — particularly among young finance professionals — lags behind.
The survey suggests that even with regulatory clarity, ETF accessibility, and corporate adoption, crypto has yet to earn full confidence from the next generation entering Wall Street. For these interns, skepticism often centers on volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and the perception that digital assets remain speculative rather than foundational to global finance.
AI Outpaces Crypto in Enthusiasm
While crypto adoption remains tentative, the Morgan Stanley intern survey reveals overwhelming enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI). An astonishing 96% of U.S. interns and 91% of European interns reported using AI tools regularly.
Most interns praised AI’s time-saving efficiency and ease of use, though 88% also voiced concerns about accuracy — echoing ongoing debates within financial institutions about the risks and rewards of deploying AI in core operations.
The data aligns with global market trends. In 2025, the world’s largest technology companies, often referred to as the “Magnificent 7,” are expected to pour $650 billion into capital expenditures and R&D, with AI development as a top priority.
For interns — the next generation of financial professionals — AI already feels like a tool they cannot work without, in contrast to crypto, which still feels optional or niche.
The Next Frontier: Humanoids
Beyond AI and crypto, the survey revealed growing curiosity about humanoid robotics. More than 60% of U.S. interns and 69% of European interns said they would be interested in owning humanoids at home in the future.
At the same time, optimism remains limited. Only 36% of U.S. interns and 24% of Europeans believe humanoids will have a positive impact on society.
Despite this skepticism, Morgan Stanley projects that the humanoid market could exceed $5 trillion by 2050, with over 1 billion humanoids in circulation, 90% of which are expected to serve industrial and commercial functions.
Early Days for Crypto, but Not for AI
The findings highlight a major divergence: while crypto adoption is gradually increasing, it remains tentative among young professionals, even as Bitcoin and Ethereum establish themselves as institutional assets. AI, meanwhile, enjoys near-universal adoption and excitement, shaping itself as the defining technology of the decade.
For the digital asset industry, Morgan Stanley’s survey is both a reminder of progress and a reality check. Despite Bitcoin’s record-breaking surge, ETF inflows, and corporate adoption, many future financiers remain cautious, suggesting that mass retail adoption is still on the horizon.
On the other hand, AI has already become indispensable to these same interns, raising questions about where the balance of innovation and finance will tilt in the coming years.
Final Thoughts
As Bitcoin cements its role on Wall Street, the Morgan Stanley intern survey reminds us that crypto adoption among young finance professionals is still in its infancy. Institutional inflows may be reshaping the financial landscape, but enthusiasm among the next generation lags behind.
Meanwhile, AI continues its rapid march into the mainstream, with interns not only embracing it but also reshaping expectations of work and technology. The future of finance, it seems, may be written less in blockchain code and more in lines of artificial intelligence.
