What is unique about Algorand?

Could you elaborate on the uniqueness of Algorand, perhaps highlighting its distinguishing features and how it stands out in the world of cryptocurrencies? I'm particularly interested in understanding its technological advancements and how they contribute to its overall functionality and scalability. Could you also compare it to some of its competitors and discuss what sets it apart in terms of its security and transaction speeds? Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.