Algorand is a fairly underground project I've been following, but it basically has taken the good stuff from Ethereum (smart contracts, token-izing) and combined it with the possibilities of Chainlink, along with having a ridiculously fast chain and simple ecosystem. Give them 3-5 years they'll be leading the CYO token space. ETH is increasingly falling behind as they can't get ETH2 out the door and Algorand already has all of it built in along with an incredible competent and politically connected team.

Agree though, smart contracts are where the future lies in many of these projects. Tough to pick up but where I'd be if I were a SW dev.