“We Are Still Early”: Morgan Stanley Interns Highlight Crypto’s Lag Behind AI and Robotics

Bitcoin Tops $100,000 as Morgan Stanley Intern Survey Highlights Early-Stage Crypto Adoption

Bitcoin’s price has surged past $100,000 in 2026, yet a recent Morgan Stanley survey of summer interns reveals that cryptocurrency adoption remains at an early stage among the next generation of finance professionals.

The investment bank surveyed over 500 interns in North America (June 10–27) and 147 in Europe (June 26–July 7). Results showed that only 18% of respondents currently own or use cryptocurrencies, a modest increase from 13% last year. Interest in digital assets also inched up to 26% from 23%, while the majority—55%—remain uninterested, although this number has decreased from 63% in 2025.

This cautious stance is notable given the increasing institutional adoption of crypto. Since January 2025, eleven spot Bitcoin ETFs have drawn $53.7 billion in assets, while Ether ETFs have accumulated $12.4 billion, according to Farside Investors data. Corporations are steadily adding these tokens to their balance sheets as digital assets gain broader acceptance.

Ether also recently reached an all-time high above $4,800, underscoring growing market enthusiasm.

AI Adoption Soars Among Future Finance Leaders

The survey also found widespread use of artificial intelligence among interns, with 96% of U.S. and 91% of European respondents reporting regular AI usage. Most agree AI saves time and is easy to use, though 88% feel accuracy still needs improvement.

These findings align with Wall Street trends, where leading firms are projected to invest $650 billion in AI-related capital expenditures and research this year.

Interest in Humanoids Grows, Despite Mixed Views on Societal Impact

Interest in humanoid robots is high, with over 60% of U.S. interns and nearly 70% of European interns expressing a desire to own one. Both groups foresee humanoids having practical applications and displacing some human jobs.

However, only a minority—36% of U.S. and 24% of European interns—believe humanoids will have a positive societal impact, reflecting cautious optimism.

Morgan Stanley estimates the humanoid market could exceed $5 trillion by 2050, including related supply chains for maintenance and support. The firm predicts over 1 billion humanoids worldwide by then, with 90% used in industrial and commercial sectors.