The euro dropped to a 20-month low on Monday in Asia as investors assessed the implications of the resignation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi after he suffered a humiliating defeat in a referendum over constitutional reforms.
The common currency fell against the U.S. dollar to trade at 1.0563 as of mid-afternoon and touched a two-year low at $1.0505 U.S. earlier.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Index fell 151.09 points, or 0.8%, to 18.274.99. Against the yen, the euro fetched 119.88, compared to 120.8 levels seen last week.
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong dropped 59.27 points, or 0.3%, to 22,505.55
New Zealand shares also went south, after Prime Minister John Key made a surprise announcement that he would resign, citing it as "the right time" as he would not seek a fourth term. The New Zealand dollar was weaker against the U.S. dollar at 0.7107 as of mid-afternoon local time, near a session low against the dollar of 0.7070.
Taiwan's benchmark Taiex closed down, after Donald Trump tweeted that the Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen had given him a congratulatory phone call.
The conversation might have been viewed by China as a change in U.S. foreign policy, as it considers Taiwan a breakaway province. As well on Sunday, Trump has lashed out again at China, accusing Beijing of manipulating its currency, unfairly taxing U.S. products and militarizing the South China Sea.
CHINA
Chinese shares dipped as the long-awaited Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect launched today, which will give mainland investors access to Hong Kong-listed stocks, and allow international investors to trade Shenzhen-listed stocks.
The CSI 300 in Shanghai moved down 59.54 points, or 1.7%, to 3,469.41, after China securities regulator chairman Liu Shiyu called company buyouts by some asset managers "barbaric" on Saturday.
Dongxu Optoelectronic Technology was up 3.6% at 13.47 yuan per share, while Shenzhen O-film Tech was up 6.5% at 37.49 yuan a share.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi listed lower 7.25 points, or 0.4%, at 1,963.36
The Straits Times Index in Singapore regained 23.68 points, or 0.8%, to 2,943.05
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index backtracked 28.83 points, or 0.3%, to 9,160.66
The NZX 50 slid 50.14 points, or 0.7%, at 6,854.71
Australia's ASX 200 stumbled 43.56 points, or 0.8%, at 5,400.44
