The phrase “We're too early” remains a popular sentiment in the crypto community in 2025, suggesting that despite Bitcoin (BTC) Prices exceed $100,000, and overall adoption of digital assets is still in the early stages.
A recent investigation into Morgan Stalney's financial experts confirms this sentiment. The investment banking giant surveyed over 500 summer interns in North America from June 10th to 27th, and 147 summer interns in Europe from June 26th to July 7th.
The survey found that only 18% of interns own or use cryptocurrency, up from 13% the previous year. Meanwhile, the proportion of interns interested in digital assets has risen from 23% to 26%. Meanwhile, 55% are still less concerned about digital assets and are the majority, but that number has fallen from 63% last year.
A widespread lack of interest appears to be important, especially given that BTC is already being accepted on Wall Street through the introduction of ETFs.
According to Data Source Farside Investors, the 11-spot BTC ETF has collected $53.7 billion in investor wealth since it debuted last January. Ether ETF has registered $12.4 billion inflows. Companies are rapidly adding both assets to their balance sheets.
BTC prices have exceeded $100,000 this year, gaining a foothold in its institutional portfolio. Ether hit a record high of over $4,800 on Friday.
More open to AI
The survey revealed clear adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) 96% of US interns and 91% of European counterparts by future financial leaders report at least occasional technology use.
The consensus is that AI is effective and almost all respondents agree that it is “time-saving” and “easy to use.” However, 88% of interns also had a nuanced view. The technology still believed that it needed to “enhanced accuracy.”
The widespread adoption coincides with Wall Street sentiment, with Mag 7 companies expected to spend $650 billion on capital expenditures and research and development this year.
Trillion dollar humanoid market
Research has revealed that most interns are interested in owning sophisticated machines designed with humanoids or human-like shapes and abilities, but are cautious about their impact on society.
Over 60% of US interns and 69% of European interns have expressed interest in having humanoids at home, and in both regions they believe that robots have “workable use cases” and will replace many human jobs.
Still, only 36% of US interns and 24% of Europeans agreed that humanoids would have a positive impact on society.
Morgan Stanley estimates that the humanoid market could surpass $5 trillion by 2050, including sales from supply chains and networks for repair, maintenance and support.
“Humanoids are still in development, but could exceed 1 billion by 2050, with 90% being used for industrial and commercial purposes,” the investment banking giant said in a report in May.
