Fidelity Investments Chief Executive Abigail Johnson championed the growth of bitcoin and other alternative currencies in a speech Tuesday, a rare vote of confidence by a major player in the financial world.

Her remarks at a conference in New York set her apart from other CEOs of large banks and financial services companies who have been cautious and even skeptical of bitcoin’s benefits. Fidelity first began exploring the possibilities of bitcoin and other digital currencies roughly three years ago.

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