Morgan Stanley interns opt for XRP over Ethereum (ETH) in their investments
In a recent survey conducted by Morgan Stanley Research, there has been a significant decline in cryptocurrency ownership among its European interns. The trend is largely attributed to growing distrust in traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with a broader disengagement from crypto assets.
The survey results suggest a general decline in cryptocurrency ownership, with only 12% of interns owning Bitcoin, down from 63% in 2022. Similarly, Ethereum ownership has dropped sharply from 60% to 7%, and Cardano ownership has decreased from 27% to 3%.
However, XRP (Ripple) is an exception to this declining trend. XRP ownership has increased from 0% to 5% in 2025, with XRP now more popular among Morgan Stanley EU interns than Cardano (ADA). This growing popularity is linked to greater regulatory clarity surrounding XRP compared to other cryptocurrencies, reducing uncertainty and increasing investor confidence.
Moreover, a notable price rally in Q4 2024, driven partly by positive developments and external events such as Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory, which coincided with XRP's price surging nearly sixfold, has also contributed to its increased popularity. XRP's perception as a more utility-focused altcoin amid an environment of global de-dollarization and diversification of crypto portfolios has further boosted its appeal.
Austin Campbell, managing partner and founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, argues that the banking sector has a talent problem. Campbell claims that young people who care about crypto and technology do not go to banks. He believes that the overall crypto market sentiment among young investors is souring, reflecting skepticism and decreased interest in mainstream cryptocurrencies.
The interns increasingly view traditional banks as technologically behind and out of touch with crypto and fintech innovations, leading to a lack of confidence in crypto assets associated with those institutions. This lack of confidence, coupled with the recent market downturn, has led to a widespread withdrawal from crypto investments.
In summary, the decline in Bitcoin and Ethereum ownership among Morgan Stanley EU interns reflects a broader skepticism and disillusionment with traditional crypto assets and institutional banks’ tech relevance, while XRP benefits from regulatory progress and recent strong performance, making it a preferred choice in a cooling market.
[1] Morgan Stanley Research Survey (2025) [2] CoinDesk (2025) [3] The Financial Times (2025) [4] Bloomberg (2025) [5] Forbes (2025)
- Despite the decline in Bitcoin and Ethereum ownership, XRP's popularity has surged among Morgan Stanley EU interns, with a rise from 0% to 5%.
- The increase in XRP ownership can be attributed to regulatory clarity, a price rally in Q4 2024, and its utility-focused nature, making it an appealing alternative in a diversifying crypto market.
- A growing skepticism towards traditional cryptocurrencies and institutional banks' tech relevance contributes to the widespread withdrawal from crypto investments among the interns, leading to a cool market.
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