New York Life CEO Ted Mathas warms to Bitcoin - joins NYDIG

Institutional acceptance of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) grows further as New York Life Insurance Company Chairman and CEO Ted Mathas joins the board at NYDIG (New York Digital Investment Group). New York Life is the country's largest mutual life insurer, with $700B+ in AUM.Led by Ross Stevens, NYDIG facilitated the first (known) Bitcoin investment by an insurance company when MassMutual purchased $100M worth late last year.Mathas is also chairman of the American Council of Life Insurers which collectively represents more than 95% of U.S. life insurers, with more than $7T in AUM.Mathas: "I am excited to be joining NYDIG's distinguished Board at such a pivotal time for the firm as the Bitcoin ecosystem continues to mature and expand."The news appears to have given another shot in the arm to bitcoin, which has now climbed to $56.2K. Crypto-related names this morning are sharply higher: Microstrategy (MSTR), Riot Blockchain (RIOT), Marathon Digital (MARA), Canaan