Higala, a digital payment platform based in the Philippines, has secured an extension of its seed funding round, raising a total of US$2.8 million.

The funding was led by Talino Venture Studios and 1982 Ventures, a Singapore-based venture capital firm that focuses on fintech in Southeast Asia.

This latest investment by 1982 Ventures continues its support for fintech companies in the region. Its portfolio includes firms like NextPay, Lista, and Brick, which operate in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Higala aims to enhance financial access in the Philippines by connecting rural banks, thrift banks, commercial banks, and electronic money issuers to its instant payment network.

The company also seeks to reduce transaction costs and improve the accessibility of real-time payments.