Factbox: Bitcoin's march to the mainstream gathers pace

FILE PHOTO: A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken March 15, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Bitcoin hit a record high just shy of $65,000 last week, the latest landmark on the emerging asset's march to wider acceptance. Its gains have been fuelled by growing acceptance among major U.S. companies and financial firms.

Here are some steps from big companies, large investors, banks and payment processors that have pushed bitcoin closer to the mainstream in recent months: