Bitcoin Adoption Trails AI and Humanoids Among Future Finance Leaders, Morgan Stanley Intern Survey Reveals
August 24, 2025 – New York — Despite Bitcoin (BTC) recently surpassing the $100,000 mark, cryptocurrency adoption among the next generation of finance professionals is still in its infancy, according to a new survey conducted by investment banking giant Morgan Stanley. The report highlights that artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robotics are currently outpacing crypto in popularity and use among summer interns at the firm across North America and Europe.
Crypto Adoption Still Early Stage
Morgan Stanley surveyed more than 500 summer interns in North America in June and an additional 147 interns in Europe in late June to early July. The findings underscore that while digital currencies are gaining ground, enthusiasm remains relatively low among these future finance leaders.
Only 18% of the survey respondents indicated that they currently own or use cryptocurrencies, a modest rise from 13% the previous year. Interest in digital assets has inched upward to 26% from 23%, but a majority—55% of interns—still express little to no interest in cryptocurrencies. Though lower than last year’s 63%, this majority demonstrates that for many young professionals, digital assets have yet to become an essential part of their financial lives.
This is notable considering the growing institutional embrace of cryptocurrencies. Since January 2024, eleven spot Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated $53.7 billion in investor assets, complemented by $12.4 billion for Ether ETFs. Several corporations have also begun incorporating these assets into their balance sheets. Yet, widespread retail and early-career finance interest seem to lag.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Market Highlights
Bitcoin’s price milestone over the $100,000 threshold has further established its foothold within institutional portfolios. Ether (ETH) has also experienced significant gains, recently hitting a record high above $4,800. Despite these bullish market trends, the survey confirms that broad-based adoption remains a work in progress.
AI Adoption Leads Future Finance Workforce
Meanwhile, the survey reveals overwhelming adoption of AI tools among interns, with 96% of U.S. respondents and 91% of Europeans using AI technologies at least occasionally. Nearly all agree that AI “saves time” and is “easy to use.” However, a cautious majority (88%) acknowledge the need for improvements in AI accuracy.
These results parallel trends seen on Wall Street, where leading financial firms—often referred to as the “Mag 7”—are expected to invest around $650 billion in AI-related capital expenditures and research and development within 2025. ### Rising Interest in Humanoid Robots
In addition to AI, interest in humanoid robots—machines engineered with human-like forms and capabilities—is growing rapidly among the intern cohort. Over 60% of U.S. interns and 69% of Europeans expressed interest in owning humanoids, foreseeing “viable use cases” and acceptance that these robots may replace many human jobs. Despite this, only 36% of U.S. and 24% of European respondents believe humanoids will positively impact society.
Morgan Stanley estimates that the humanoid market could exceed $5 trillion by 2050, encompassing not only robot sales but also extensive supply chains and maintenance networks. According to a report released by the bank earlier this year, the number of humanoids worldwide may surpass 1 billion by mid-century, with the majority deployed in industrial and commercial applications.
“We Are Still Early” in Crypto Adoption
The phrase “we are still early” remains a popular refrain within the crypto community in 2025. Morgan Stanley’s intern survey supports this perspective, revealing that while significant strides have been made in Bitcoin’s price and institutional acceptance, the path toward mass adoption is ongoing.
About the Survey
Morgan Stanley’s survey gathered insights from over 650 summer interns across North America and Europe between June and July 2025. The report offers a window into evolving technology preferences and investment interests of newcomers poised to shape finance’s future.
Disclaimer: Portions of this article were generated with the support of AI tools and were fully reviewed by CoinDesk’s editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to editorial standards.
By Omkar Godbole, Co-Managing Editor, CoinDesk Markets
Edited by Aoyon Ashraf
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Related Topics: Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies, Ethereum, Artificial Intelligence, Humanoids, Financial Technology, Morgan Stanley, ETF, Digital Assets