The specter of a British exit from the European Union and the pro-Leave outcome saw equity markets in Asia take a huge dive Friday.

Tokyo was down a staggering 8 percent, while the stock exchange in Hong Kong tumbled more than 5 percent. Sydney also shed more than 3 percent, with Seoul losing 1.5 percent while awaiting the results of the Brexit vote.

Highlighting the volatility across all markets, betting giant Ladbrokes tweeted that we were seeing "without doubt the craziest, fastest moving betting market in recent history."

European stock markets also headed for a sharply lower open on Friday, pre-market calls from financial bookmakers suggested. Britain's FTSE, Germany's DAX and France's CAC were forecast to fall between 6 percent and 8 percent, according to calls from IG and CMC.

Just the beginning?

In the weeks leading up to the Brexit vote, there had been widespread warnings that a "Leave" outcome would cause another rout across global markets that would wipe trillions off valuations, just months after a painful China-fueled selloff. With results trickling in from London, that doomsday scenario now seemed to be unfolding, analysts remarked.

The British pound collapsed on Friday morning to a 31-year low. Sterling dipped by roughly 10 percent, hitting its lowest level since the mid-1980s and marking the steepest one-day drop in its history.

At the same time, world oil prices plunged more than 5 percent in Asia. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in August was down considerably, and so was Brent crude, also for delivery in August.

(DW)