March 16 (Reuters) - Crypto wealth management platform

Abra plans to go public through a merger with blank-check firm

New Providence Acquisition Corp III, amid renewed investor

interest in digital asset companies, Abra said on Monday.

After the transaction closes, the combined company will

operate as Abra Financial Holdings, Inc., and anticipates

listing on the Nasdaq exchange.

Here are some details:

* The transaction is based on a $750 million pre-money

equity value of Abra

* Existing Abra investors, including Pantera Capital and

Adams Street, will roll 100% of their interests into the

combined company

* "This is just the next logical step for us," said Bill

Barhydt, founder and CEO of Abra, in an interview. "We believe

that we're headed for really big things, big growth in the

coming years."

* Abra offers crypto custody, trading and lending for

registered investment advisers, private clients, family offices

and hedge funds, and is itself a registered investment adviser

* Abra agreed to a settlement in 2024 with the U.S.

Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations that the

company's lending product Abra Earn -- which has since been

wound down -- should have been registered as a security

* Also in 2024, Abra settled with 25 state financial

regulators after the states found that Abra operated in the

jurisdictions without obtaining required licenses