Yes, the most interventionist fed chairman in history with among the most irresponsible loose monetary policy along with a set of major bailout actions (LTCM) was engaging in free market economics and deregulation. The incentives created by the regulatory system were the very incentives that created the crisis. Look into moral hazard. Look into Fanny and Freddie securitization. Look into the Fed government policy pushing banks into accelerating home ownership despite major credit risks. Look at the wild monetary policy post 9/11 that caused the speculative bubble.

You are also violently oversimplifying what occurred. Especially considering the size, scope and budget of the federal government has only grown during this period you describe as horrific "deregulation". The CFR doubled over that decade.