I think based on the

In brief: status is a measure of general purpose optimization power in complex social domains

the authors would claim that the person "increased" or "used" their status in this transaction, but I would say they lowered it in common usage of the term, including yours

Yes, but he's lowering his status

hence I would claim this is a redefinition of the term.

I am only semantics here, but I feel it's important because using the term in an uncommon manner will lead to confusion.