Bitcoin News Today: Future Finance Leaders Stick to AI and Robots, Shy Away from Crypto

Morgan Stanley’s 2025 summer intern survey highlights a cautious approach to cryptocurrency ownership and use among the next generation of financial professionals, despite growing institutional interest in digital assets. The survey, which included more than 500 North American and 147 European interns, found that only 18% of participants own or use cryptocurrencies, a marginal increase from 13% in the previous year. Meanwhile, 26% expressed interest in digital assets, up from 23% in 2024, but 55% remain uninterested, down from 63% the prior year [1]. These figures underscore a slow but steady shift in perception toward cryptocurrencies, even as broader adoption continues to lag.

Bitcoin’s price has exceeded $100,000 in 2025, and institutional investors have increasingly added the asset to their portfolios. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have amassed $53.7 billion in inflows since their introduction in early 2024, while Ethereum ETFs have drawn $12.4 billion [1]. Despite this, the survey suggests that young professionals remain hesitant to adopt the technology for personal use. This cautious stance contrasts with their broader interest in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), where 96% of U.S. interns and 91% of European interns reported using AI tools at least occasionally [1].

The survey also explored attitudes toward humanoid robots, another frontier in technological development. Over 60% of U.S. interns and 69% of their European counterparts expressed interest in owning humanoids at home, though the perceived societal impact remains mixed. Only 36% of U.S. interns and 24% of Europeans believed humanoids would have a positive impact [1]. Morgan Stanley estimates that the humanoid market could reach $5 trillion by 2050, driven by industrial and commercial applications [2]. While the adoption of cryptocurrencies appears to be in the early stages, the survey suggests that future business leaders are more open to other transformative technologies, including AI and robotics.

The slow adoption of digital assets among Morgan Stanley interns aligns with broader market trends observed in 2025. Despite the surge in institutional interest—driven in part by ETF inflows—Bitcoin has experienced volatility, with ETFs recording both significant inflows and outflows. For example, Bitcoin ETFs saw a record $1.18 billion inflow in a single day when the price exceeded $118,000, but also suffered outflows of $523 million in mid-August [3]. These fluctuations highlight the influence of ETF flows on BTC price movements and institutional positioning. Meanwhile, Ethereum has attracted a growing share of capital, with Ethereum ETFs adding $2.8 billion in August compared to Bitcoin’s $1.2 billion outflows [3].

Morgan Stanley’s survey also noted that interns remain skeptical about the accuracy and reliability of AI tools, with 88% stating that the technology still requires improvement. However, the overwhelming majority found AI to be useful for time-saving and ease of use [1]. This nuanced perspective suggests that while AI is being widely adopted in the professional landscape, there is still a recognition of its limitations. Unlike AI, which is already embedded in daily workflows, cryptocurrencies continue to face barriers to adoption, including regulatory uncertainty and public perception.

The findings from Morgan Stanley’s intern survey provide insight into the evolving priorities and technological preferences of the next generation of finance professionals. While cryptocurrencies have gained traction in institutional portfolios, personal adoption remains limited. This generational gap in digital asset use may have implications for how financial institutions approach retail crypto offerings in the future. Meanwhile, the widespread interest in AI and robotics among interns indicates that future professionals are more comfortable with these technologies, suggesting a potential shift in the broader fintech ecosystem [1].

Source:

[1] Morgan Stanley's Intern Survey Reveals as Crypto Interest ... (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/24/we-are-still-early-morgan-stanley-s-intern-survey-reveals-as-crypto-interest-lags-behind-ai-and-robots)

[2] 2025 Intern Survey: Hot Takes From Future Leaders (https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/articles/2025-intern-survey)

[3] Bitcoin ETF Inflows: $51B Drives BTC-USD Toward $240K (https://www.tradingnews.com/news/bitcoin-etf-inflows-reshape-btc-usd-outlook)