The phrase “we are still early” resonates deeply within the crypto community as we navigate through 2025. Despite Bitcoin’s (BTC) impressive surge past the $100,000 mark, many enthusiasts and investors believe that the mainstream adoption of digital assets is just beginning.
Shining light on this perspective is Morgan Stanley’s recent survey of more than 500 financial interns from North America and Europe. Conducted between June 10 and July 7, the survey indicates that only 18% of interns currently own or engage with cryptocurrencies, a slight increase from 13% the previous year. Interestingly, while interest in digital assets has grown from 23% to 26%, a significant portion—55%—of interns still express indifference toward crypto, albeit down from 63% in the prior year.
This prevailing disinterest is noteworthy, especially given that Bitcoin has begun to establish its presence on Wall Street. The emergence of Bitcoin ETFs has been transformative; since their launch in January last year, 11 ETFs have collectively attracted $53.7 billion in investments. Meanwhile, Ether ETFs have also made significant strides, drawing in $12.4 billion, while corporations increasingly add both cryptocurrencies to their financial portfolios.
This wealth accumulation around BTC coincides with its soaring price, which has solidified its appeal among institutional investors. Ether, too, reached record highs above $4,800 recently, further validating the crypto sector’s growing allure.
A Glimpse Into AI Adoption
The survey results extend beyond cryptocurrencies to provide insights into other technological adaptations. An overwhelming 96% of U.S. interns and 91% of their European counterparts have reported using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, at least occasionally. Notably, most respondents agree that AI serves to enhance efficiency, saving them time and proving easy to use. However, a notable 88% also voiced that the technology requires improvements in accuracy, highlighting a nuanced understanding of its current capabilities.
This sentiment aligns with developments on Wall Street, where the ‘Magnificent Seven’ firms are anticipated to invest a staggering $650 billion in capital expenditures and R&D this year, indicating widespread confidence and investment in technology.
Intrigued by Humanoids
Beyond cryptocurrencies and AI, the survey unveiled a growing fascination with humanoids—sophisticated machines mimicking human abilities. Over 60% of American interns and 69% of European interns expressed keen interest in owning a humanoid. Both groups acknowledged the potential for humanoids to find viable applications and to displace many jobs traditionally held by humans.
However, opinions diverged on their societal implications. Only 36% of U.S. interns and 24% of their European counterparts believe that humanoids will positively impact society. Morgan Stanley anticipates that the humanoid market could eclipse $5 trillion by 2050, encompassing everything from sales to repair and maintenance networks.
Highlighting the robot industry’s potential, Morgan Stanley’s report underscores that while humanoids are still in their developmental stages, there could be over 1 billion in existence by 2050, with 90% earmarked for industrial and commercial applications.
