Bitcoin Surpasses $100,000 as Morgan Stanley Intern Survey Shows Crypto Adoption Still in Early Stages

Despite Bitcoin (BTC) crossing the $100,000 mark in 2026, adoption among the next generation of finance professionals remains modest, highlighting that digital assets are still in their infancy.

Morgan Stanley recently surveyed over 500 summer interns in North America (June 10–27) and 147 in Europe (June 26–July 7), revealing that only 18% of interns currently own or use cryptocurrencies—a rise from 13% last year. Interest in digital assets also increased slightly, with 26% expressing enthusiasm, up from 23% previously. However, a majority of 55% remain indifferent to cryptocurrencies, though this figure has fallen from 63% in 2025.

This tepid engagement comes despite the growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies on Wall Street. Since their launch in January 2025, 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted $53.7 billion in assets, while Ether ETFs have seen inflows of $12.4 billion, according to data from Farside Investors. Corporations continue to add these digital assets to their balance sheets, reflecting rising institutional demand.

Alongside Bitcoin’s milestone, Ether recently reached a record high of over $4,800, further underscoring the growing mainstream interest in crypto assets.

AI Adoption Outpaces Crypto Enthusiasm

The survey also highlighted a strong embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) among future finance leaders. An overwhelming 96% of U.S. interns and 91% of their European counterparts reported using AI technology at least occasionally. Most respondents agreed that AI tools save time and are user-friendly, though 88% noted that the technology still requires improvements in accuracy.

This trend mirrors Wall Street’s increasing AI investment, with major firms expected to spend $650 billion this year on capital expenditures and R&D related to AI and advanced technologies.

Growing Interest in Humanoids Amid Cautious Optimism

Morgan Stanley’s survey also revealed significant curiosity about humanoid robots—machines designed to mimic human form and capabilities—with over 60% of U.S. interns and 69% of European interns expressing interest in owning one at home. Both groups anticipate humanoids will have practical applications and replace many human jobs.

However, only 36% of U.S. interns and 24% of Europeans believe humanoids will positively impact society, reflecting a cautious stance toward the broader societal implications.

Morgan Stanley projects the humanoid market could exceed $5 trillion by 2050, factoring in sales as well as repair, maintenance, and support networks. The bank forecasts that by 2050, there could be over 1 billion humanoids globally, with 90% deployed for industrial and commercial uses.